Why is she always falling?

Executive Member Joined: Dec 29 2007 Posts: 282

DD is 6 and falls at every available opportunity. Since she started walking, she is always falling down. We've checked her vision numerous times, had her walking and bones examined by an orthopedic doctor/

She trips on the cracks in the sidewalk and stuff on the floor. For example, she is running to get something and will fail to notice something in the way and of course fall down.

Is it possible she doesn't see down, when she is looking across? or something like that?

I don't think she is a klutz, she can pedal a bike and jump rope perfectly fine.

Platinum Member Joined: Feb 20 2009 Posts: 7611

Yes, it is possible she neglects a field of vision. Have you ever had her evaluated by a developmental optometrist? Vision training can really help, if that's the issue.

Executive Member Joined: Dec 29 2007 Posts: 282

whats a developmental optometrist? how can I find one? what way is this diagnozed? I assume its different than a regular vision screening.

Posted: Thu, Aug 23 2012, 10:10 pm Post subject: re: Why is she always falling?

Maybe also get her ears/hearing checked -- inner ear problems can affect balance.
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Platinum Member Joined: Feb 20 2009 Posts: 7611

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 18 2005 Posts: 2932

ditto the ears/hearing eval
also, I'd explore a sensory angle. maybe you can find a PT or OT to evaluate her balance/proprioception

Executive Member Joined: Jan 04 2011 Posts: 366

it could be that she is not calculating the distance from one object to the next. vision threapy really helps. good luck

Executive Member Joined: Dec 29 2007 Posts: 282

I don't think its a hearing/balance issue, though I will certainly explore that option as well. She falls on something that she fails to observe. She doesn't lose her balance out of the blue. (And she hasn't reached the age of pretending not to hear Smile

so I think her hearing is fine)
But all these suggestions are great starting points. Thank you!

Platinum Member Joined: Jun 22 2008 Posts: 6424

peripheral vision? depth? those are stuff the optometrist should check for

Silver Member Joined: Dec 30 2010 Posts: 737

Active Poster Joined: May 31 2009 Posts: 96

I know someone who dealt with this issue and was helped through either ot or pt. it could be a matter of how the body is wired.

Platinum Member Joined: Nov 01 2009 Posts: 8202

DS falls a lot. He has low muscle tone.
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Executive Member Joined: Dec 29 2007 Posts: 282

Yes, I have spoken to my pediatrician about it. Conclusion was always check her eyes/ and she is clumsy. When she was younger, she had knock-knees so we blamed it on that. I don't see her as being particularly clumsy in other areas. And the optometrist has always assured us she is fine.

So now I think I will get her evaluated by an OT/PT and an eye specialist because this problem does not seem to be going away.

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 18 2005 Posts: 2932

usually, we dont trip on small cracks or things like that. usually we rely on three systems, vision, inner ear, and proprioception. usually any one of the three can do a decent job compensating for a system that isnt functioning optimally. so in theory, she shouldnt have to 'observe' these obstacles in order not to trip, most small disturbances in plane should be picked up by the body's proprioceptors even with the eyes closed. in fact, some balance tests do that, they have the person perform various movements with eyes open and eyes closed to see if the person is relying heavily on vision for balance tasks.
I dont remember what 'normal' is for kids her age, but I do know that some kids who are 'clumsy' can be screened for these types of balance issues and there are exercises that can help strengthen the system, if, in fact, it is compromised. which of course I have no way of knowing, I was just throwing it out there as a 'maybe you want to read up on this' suggestion.

another thought, does this happen all the time? or does it come and go? because some kids get like that during growth spurts.

Senior Member Joined: Jan 06 2008 Posts: 159

Have you had her vitamin D levels checked? Lack of Vitamin D can cause falling. (I had this with my son)