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My daughter refuses to walk - help please

NAS82659

Hello,

My daughter was recently diagnosed with autism, she’s 5 years old. We’ve always struggled with her refusing to walk, even from a young age. We mostly have to carry her or she sits in her 1 year old sisters buggy and I carry the baby instead. It’s really affecting a lot of what we do and we always have to consider how far places are etc. She can walk in small doses perfectly fine, but even at home will sometimes refuse to walk and we have to carry her to where she wants to be. If we don’t, we have severe meltdowns. I can’t seem to find much information on why she refuses to walk and what it might be that’s affecting her with it, maybe sensory based? I’m not really sure what I can do to help her and it’s getting harder and harder as she’s getting bigger. Does anyone have any experience with walking refusal? Is it a demand avoidance type thing? Thanks so much x 

  •  Maybe she doesn’t like the texture of either her choice of footwear, hosiery or the floor surface itself.

  • Maybe she doesn’t like socks or tights, my daughter hates them and won’t wear them. She also prefers open sandals. She may just enjoy being carried but as she gets bigger this is going to get difficult. If she has meltdowns because of it it’s likely that there’s a sensory issue. 

  • Does she like any sort of sport? Jumping on a trampoline or ballet? Or even playing stand-up moving games on a Nintendo. 

    If nothing, what have paediatricians suggested? Have her levels been checked? There's so many things to consider from fluids to her nervous system, to something Elst. 

    For instance if it's something like dehydration, which affects our muscular system, making them achey, and our energy, it's not a simple fix and could be a sign of something in need of help functioning. In my family I learned we have to be mindful of this little thing which regulates the kidneys and responses well to raw cranberry juice. A shot every few days seems to help. But also making sure to drink high mineral content water, with enough sodium, potassium and magnesium.

    One can be just under-hydrated enough to be ok, but not thriving and while this may not be her situation, I might do everything I can to try and understand what she experiences when she walks. Kids usually have an abundance of energy. I usually tell the younger females who I mentor to have a steak and a mineral bath when they're lethargic. It always makes a world of difference.