Walking on Tip-Toes

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My 5 year old Aspie walks on his tip-toes all the time. The therapist said it was due to anxiety but he does it even when sick, relaxed, and at home.

Any ideas if this is Aspie trait?

Many autism spectrum children walk on their toes. I attribute it to our sensory issues. I think (and this is only my opinion) that it is caused by our inability to figure out what to do with all of our body parts in the world of space that we have around us.

Think of the sensory input that your child is receiving from this. There is a great amount of pressure pushing against the pressure of the earth. Pressure tends to be a comforting thing. Many people on the spectrum wear many layers of clothes, hats on their heads, tight clothing, wrap themselves in blankets. It's about the sensation of the pressure against our bodies. Some people also get a rocking movement satisfaction from walking on tiptoe as well. It satisfies all sorts of things.

Of course, the reality is that you need to get some OT/PT started to get your child back on the ground.

Sign them up NOW for ballet school.

Ed Almos

I only walk on my toes when I am going up stairs, and I only do it when excited.

I think it's a pretty common trait among those on the autistic spectrum.

All three of my kids walked on their tip toes, but only one has Aspergers. She walked on her toes till 3rd or 4th grade, the longest of all of my kiddos.

All three of my kids walked on their tip toes, but only one has Aspergers. She walked on her toes till 3rd or 4th grade, the longest of all of my kiddos.

I never ealized I did this until one night when I was walking without shoes across a hardwood floor.I was pretty surprised when I realized I was doing it(I had only recently found out about AS).It is the ony time I have caught myself doing it...I did wonder if it was to avoid the "sound" of walking...I mean isnt that why people usually tip-toe?

I used to do this all the time, still do a lot of the time, but mostly only when I'm barefoot now. *shrug*

My son's Occupational Therapist told me the putting pressure on the joints releases Seratonin. So I would think it's a natural thing for people who have low levels of Seratonin to walk on their toes to release it. Obviously they don't realize that's what they're doing...
The Occupational Therapist didn't specifically say that's what happens when they toe walk, I just kind of thought it made sense. Seeing as how he had me do joint compressions and squeezes on my son's joints to release Seratonin to hopefully modulate his Seratonin levels. I don't know, it just makes sense to me. haha
I could very well be wrong, though.

I used to walk on my toes, apparently. My Mother doesn't remember, but I saw a video of myself at 6 years old walking around on my tippy toes. I don't know if I still do it, I wouldn't be surprised...I doubt anyone I'm around would point it out.
My son walks on his toes all the time.

That's very interesting missboots. It could well be true. I like to walk on my tiptoes. Which is probably an advantage because I do ballet. Interestingly, I do have depression, which would mean generally I have low levels of seratonin, though my meds should help a little. I haven't noticed whether walking my my tip toes actually has any effect on my mood though.

insert lengthy post about my lifelong toe-walking here...

i didn't know there was anything wrong with the way i walked till I was in 2 or 3 grade.

Not a toe-walker but a heel pounder. Weird walking is common on the spectrum.
But if it gets me from one place to another......

Funny you should say that! One of my coworkers causes the ground to shake when he walks by. You would think he weighs 3 times what he likely weighs!

I think all seven of my kids walked on their toes for a very long time; a few still do. It used to drive me nuts! My 16 yo is definitely AS, but the rest all have some traits or similar stuff going on (OCD, NLD, who knows exactly, I just call em all my crazy critters; me too )
I remember getting yelled at constantly for "stomping like an elephant" when I was little & we lived on the 2nd floor.

I am very flat footed so I have a somewhat hard time getting up on my toes.

I do...and people often comment on it. An autistic boy I know also does it.