Dwarfism Awareness Month | Post 4

Children with achondroplasia have delayed gross motor development. Milestones like sitting, crawling, standing and walking are typically reached at 10, 11, 17 and 20 months, respectively. However, there's no cause for alarm if milestones aren't hit until later. These delays are partly due to children with achondroplasia having shorter limbs and larger heads and partly due to them having low muscle tone.

Speech development can also be delayed. This is caused by recurrent ear infections or buildup of fluid in the middle ear and because of low muscle tone in and around the mouth. Additionally, doctors have said that speech can be delayed because the brain is concentrating so power much on learning motor skills that language/speech development fall behind.

Otto is 15 months old and is just beginning to say more sounds; we have noticed some improvement with this since his ear tubes were place. He doesn't sit, crawl, stand or walk, but that doesn't stop him from getting around. His preferred modes of transportation are barrel-rolling, reverse snow plowing, and pivoting on his back or tummy.

One of our specialist gave us a great perspective that these alternative ways of getting around are something to be celebrated. Even at Otto's young age, he has already become aware of how his body is built and has figured out how to make it work for him!

under the sea.

from the american academy of pediatrics