I've written to you before about Emma my 27 weeker. Anyways, she is no 10 1/2 months old, 7 1/2 months old adjusted age. I realize she's at the age where she is just beginning to move around and whatnot. My other kids were walking along things and crawling all over the place by 7-8 months. Anyways, The biggest issue isn't so much that she's not doing these things but that she seems so darn stiff. she can sit for a minute her or there and she can hold her weight standing (sorta and only sometimes) for only a few secons..about 10-15. When we go to pick her up she puts her arms and legs out and is stiff. I'd say her fists are clenched more than 50% of the time. I don't see how she can learn to sit/crawl/walk when she's so stiff. Are there any excercises I can do to help this? She was discharged from OT a LONG time ago and now we're having a heck of a time getting her back into it. Thanks in advance!

Hi Elaina:

Happy New Year! It makes me angry to hear that Emma is NOT receiving services. What you are describing is extensor posturing. It can be caused by prematurity and poor positioning. You say you are having trouble getting OT services. If you are trying to get ECI (early childhood intervention) and they are not responding, it is time to move on. All you need is a prescription from your pediatrician that states "OT/PT eval and treat." Go to any pediatric rehabilitation center or local hospital with an outpatient rehabilitation unit. Your sweet baby needs range of motion exercises (ROM) and possibly stretching from an experienced therapist. In addition, you need to be shown an exercise program that you can implement in the home environment. I cannot teach you how to do this over the internet unfortunately. Please tell me if you cannot get a consult in the next month. She needs immediate attention. The longer you wait, the tighter her musculature is going to get.

Thanks,

Robynne

Thanks for your response. The problem is not through ECI. W#e have kaiswer. They're insurance and they have their own medical facilities. She was discharged months ago as being "caught up" and having no devleopmental delay. Which is a bit off, but whatever. At the time I was told if she needed to come back they could possibly arrange for someone to come to our home or we could hust set it up to bring her back. I have called them and they said she needs a referral from the ped. the peds swears she has sente numerous referrals (remember this i ALL kaiser, just a different city over and different building). I believe my ped. I'm about to call member services and talk to my ped once again. It's beginning to get so frustrating that i can't even pick up my kid without having feet in my ribs and all 4 limbs sticking towards me. She eventually loosens up..sorta while holding her but it is constant. She does it while sitting too. She won't bend her knees or elbows are locked which makes balancing tough. Thanks again for the response. Off to google more. :)