Key Takeaways
It’s common and very understandable for parents to have anxiety about their children’s developmental milestones. All parents eagerly await a child’s first steps, and if these don’t come within an expected window it can lead to significant worry.
While most children walk independently between 10 to 24 months, with the average falling between 12 and 18 months, late bloomers do arise. If your 18-month-old is not walking yet, or displays regular unsteadiness during attempts, it may be time to consult a pediatric physical therapist.
Understanding Why Developmental Delays Happen
If a child is not walking at 18 months or older, it could be due to a variety of reasons. Neurological conditions like cerebral palsy, genetic disorders like Down syndrome, and musculoskeletal issues could all be the source, but difficulties could also merely be the result of muscle weakness, coordination problems, or environmental factors.
The bottom line: To get to the root cause, you will need a PT assessment by an experienced physical therapist.
How Physical Therapy Jumpstarts Mobility
During an appointment, a physical therapist will use standardized tests, such as the Peabody Developmental Gross Motor Scale, to see where a child’s skills compare to age-based norms. Aspects like range of motion, strength, balance, and primitive reflexes will all be evaluated.
Once these levels are determined, exercises can be conducted to focus on:
- ✅ Strengthening muscles for independent movement
- ✅ Promoting balance and coordination via sit to stands and squat position
- ✅ Gait training over varied walking surfaces
Many of these exercises will incorporate elements of play, helping to keep the child motivated and engaged. For example, a therapist might place colorful balls just out of reach while your child plays in a squat position, encouraging them to shift weight and strengthen core muscles, all while thinking they’re just playing a game.
Along with these on-site activities, parents of 18-month-olds who aren’t walking can also supplement exercises in various ways at home:
- Allowing the child to go barefoot to increase strengthening and proprioceptive input
- Placing enticing toys on top of safe, sturdy surfaces to encourage pulling to stand
- Having siblings cheer on the child to enhance positive reinforcement
How Sensory Innovation Therapies Helps Your Child Navigate the World
Our physical therapy focuses on maximizing strength, coordination, and mobility so that children who aren’t walking at 18 months can advance their development and better navigate the world. Our relationship-based model puts family goals at the center of treatment plans, while we work with children to make progress.
We also provide our services for neurodiverse infants and children with gross motor delays, resulting from conditions like:
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome and other genetic disorders
- Developmental coordination disorders
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Neurological disorders and acquired brain injuries
- Neurodevelopmental delays
FAQs on PT for Childhood Development
Does walking on toes mean my toddler has a developmental delay?
While some toe walking can be common, it may hinder stability. If a child displays abnormal patterns like persistent toe walking, dragging, or limping, it can be a sign of a potential delay that a physical therapist should assess.
Can putting shoes on my baby help them learn to walk faster?
Actually, barefoot play is better. Therapists recommend letting children play barefoot because it allows for better functional strengthening and sensory input. Shoes and orthotics can actually sometimes impede natural gait development.
Will my child eventually catch up to their peers?
While every child is on their own timeline, research shows that most late walkers who receive appropriate, early physical therapy intervention successfully catch up with their peers and overcome developmental delays over time.
Give Your Child a Developmental Boost with Physical Therapy
If you have a child 18 months or older who’s struggling to walk, don’t wait to see if they’ll catch up on their own. Our team of physical therapists can assess their abilities and develop a regimen to address balance, strength, and coordination.
Reach out today to schedule an appointment.
