hi, thanks for taking the time to get back to me :-D

We have done physio with the oldest Matthew since preschool along with all the botox and splints etc. None of it has solved the issue although he has come down a little. we have had MULTIPLE visits to doctors, physio's ot's etc.  our biggest concern is that him being asd and starting to become more obvious with other kids at school that his toe walking makes his quirkiness stand out a little bit more than just a plain old idiopathic torewalker.  however, that said we don't just want to go throug the whole surgery thing (he is petrified of being cut with ascalpel whilst under anaesthetic) if he is just going to end up going back up again.  the orthopod seems to think that with everything we have already done we may as well try this operation and at least the muscle will be cut.  he would however have to be in plaster casts for six weeks - usually after botox he's only in them for 1-4 weeks.  Matthew has fairly low muscle tone in his legs and arms but with some sport activity and recent stint at the ot is starting to build up a bit.  wearing afo's can also get in the way of sports and makes him much more tired easily as he uses a lot more energy than the other kids.

he loves the massages and could sit all day having me massage and stroke him - (my 7 year old is too jumpy to get him to sit still long enough to apply them) lol!!!

as there are muscular/skeletal issues i hope your kids to kick the habit - maybe try some heavy weighted shoes and when they start to come up in these (as in wear into them more) put some orthotics in them to bring them down a bit again.

Thanks once again for your time and good luck with yours. cheers, :)

hi, thanks for getting back to me on this.  yes, my oldest son is not too interested in sporty type activities.  however that said i have put alot of effort into getting him to play sports of recent times and he is enjoying 2 square at school quite a bit and i have got him attending a free basketball clinic in our area one night a week.  my 7 year old is like a little tigger a bit adhd as well as aspergers and can't sit still for more than a minute. he plays lots of sport although he doesn't always understand the 'team' thing. he'll get there! lol!

as for stretching the muscles, we have tried it all and have the equipment etc, played the games, done the 'dot' walking etc.  i think it all just comes back to sensory issues.

matthew the oldest has quite low muscle tone in both his arms and legs and can be quite clumsy and awkward looking when he runs and moves around especially when playing sport. i give him 10 points for trying as he is quite persistent despite having a distinct disadvantage over the other kids (one that thankfully he doesn't see so much just yet).

oh well, guess i just have to keep on persevering.  can't seem to settle on the issue of the operation or not.  i'm sick of him having to wear afo's etc and am worried that he will start to get teased at school now that he's getting older.

cheers :)

I can understand your frustration.  I have a 12 year old nephew who still toe walks and does look rather out of place when running (unfortunately I cannot say he's autistic or aspergers - he just has progressed past the age of four mentally through choice - we've had him tested).

My prayers are with you in your perseverance.  Like I said Yoga may help seeing as there is much of stretching and it can be done indoors.  Good luck to you.