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Baby Steps: "Learn the Signs. Act Early."

Learn how to look for developmental milestones and what to do if you’re worried about your child’s development or think there’s a problem such as Autism.

VIDEO

http://www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/actearly/multimedia/video.html

Idiopathic Toe Walking

Is toddler toe walking a cause for concern?

By Beth M. Iovinelli, RN, BSN, IBCLC

Q: My toddler is walking on his toes a lot. Our pediatrician says this is very common, but is requesting he see a physical therapist. What causes "toe walking" and when should we be worried?

A: Up until the age of 3, this kind of behavior can be considered "normal" as children are learning to walk and do a fair amount of experimenting.

What begins as a fun way to get around can turn into a habit, though, and a cause of concern for many parents. This habitual tippy-toe walking is referred to as idiopathic toe walking.

There are instances, however, when toe walking may have a physical cause. The most common cause of toe walking (aside from habit) is having a tight or short Achilles tendon. The Achilles is the tendon located just above the heel and it enables you to point and flex you foot.

Other things that may contribute to toe walking include, but are not limited to:

• Muscular dystrophy
• Spinal cord abnormality
• Cerebral palsy (especially if your baby was born prematurely)
• Learning disorders

If you notice your child walking like this, play some games with him to try to encourage him to walk flat footed. Try having him copy you and exaggerate your heel-toe walking. Make it fun and hopefully he will grow out of the habit!

Your pediatrician may refer you to a physical therapist, who will evaluate your child. If everything appears to be normal, the PT may simply suggest more games and activities to encourage "normal" walking. If the tendon is indeed tight, stretching exercise will be suggested.

Don't hesitate to speak with your pediatrician about any concerns you might have.

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ADHD Cause

ADHD - What Causes Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ?

Causes of ADHD

There may be several different "causes of ADHD" as there are different types of ADHD. The most recent research models describing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder suggest that several areas of the brain may be affected by ADHD. These include the

• frontal lobes
• inhibitory mechanisms of the cortex
• limbic system
• reticular activating system

Each of these areas of the brain is associated with various functions, or qualities, or abilities.


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Austism Update

(CNN) -- The controversy surrounding a retracted study that linked autism to childhood vaccines has been fueled by the fact that no one knows what really causes autism.
"If we knew, it would change this whole debate altogether," said CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Researchers believe both genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of autism spectrum disorders. According to the National Institutes of Health, researchers have "identified a number of genes associated with the disorder. Studies of people with ASD have found irregularities in several regions of the brain. Other studies suggest that people with ASD have abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain."
The abnormalities suggest that ASDs could be caused by a disruption in brain development during the fetal stage, "possibly due to the influence of environmental factors on gene function." more

What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain's electrical system. Abnormal electrical impulses cause brief changes in movement, behavior, sensation, or awareness. These interruptions, known as seizures, may last from a few seconds to a few minutes. People who have had two or more seizures are considered to have epilepsy. More

Childs Developing Brain -

 

The Child’s Developing Brain

Different areas of the brain mature at different rates, which helps explain many of the intellectual and emotional changes seen in children, teens and young adults. While no two children develop in exactly the same way, scientists have been able to link certain developmental milestones to changes in brain tissue, observed by MRI scans taken repeatedly over years. More