When will my child walk?

Blogs

As a parent, watching your child take their first steps is a very anticipated milestone. It is a massive step towards their independence and a skill they will have for the rest of their lives. However, for parents of children with disabilities, this milestone can bring a mix of emotions—hope, excitement, and sometimes uncertainty. If you find yourself asking, “When will my child walk?” you’re not alone. Every child’s journey to walking is unique, and for children with disabilities, it may require additional time, patience, and support. In this blog, we’ll explore the factors that influence when your child might walk and how therapy may help them along the way.

Walking Milestones

Walking is a significant developmental milestone that involves a combination of strength, coordination, balance, and confidence. For many children, walking begins between 9 to 18 months. However, children with disabilities may experience delays due to various factors such as muscle tone issues, balance challenges, or coordination difficulties. Here are some common factors that can influence when a child with disabilities might start walking:

Physical Strength: Walking requires strong muscles in the legs, hips, and core. Children with low muscle tone or muscle weakness may need time and support to build the strength necessary for walking.
Developmental Progress: Some children progress through motor milestones like sitting, crawling, and standing at their own pace. Delays in these earlier milestones can impact when they begin to walk.
Balance and Coordination: Maintaining balance and coordinating movements are crucial for walking. Children with disabilities that affect these abilities may need targeted interventions to help them walk.

Things I can do to help my child walk?

Promote and encourage crawling: Develops bilateral coordination and weight shifting.
Provide standing opportunities: Helps with leg muscles and balance.
Practice cruising: Develops balance, coordination and confidence.
Positive reinforcement

When Should You Seek Help?

While each child’s development is unique, certain signs may indicate that your child could benefit from therapy to support their walking development:

If your child is not meeting milestones such as sitting up, crawling, or pulling to stand by the expected age, it may be helpful to seek an evaluation from a professional.
If your child has difficulty standing without support or balancing while walking, they may need help improving their balance and coordination.
If your child appears floppy, has difficulty bearing weight on their legs, or tires easily, they may have muscle weakness or low tone. Therapy can help strengthen their muscles.
If your child is showing limited interest in moving, this could be due to physical challenges or a lack of confidence, both of which can be addressed with the right support.

How We Can Help

Paediatric Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Exercise Physiology play a crucial role in helping children with disabilities achieve walking milestones. Here’s how we can support your child:

Through specific exercises and activities, we work with your child to build the muscle strength required for walking. This includes strengthening the core, legs, and hips.
We use targeted techniques to help your child develop the balance and coordination needed for walking. This may involve practising standing, weight shifting, and taking steps with support.
We will encourage mobility and if your child is not yet ready to walk independently, we can help them improve other forms of mobility, such as crawling or using a walker, which are important steps towards walking.
Learning to walk can be as much a mental challenge as a physical one. We can work to build your child’s confidence in their abilities, encouraging them to explore movement in a safe and supportive environment.
For some children, assistive devices like walkers, braces, or orthotics may be recommended. We can also help determine the right device for your child and teach them how to use it effectively.

Every Child’s Journey is Unique

It’s important to remember that every child’s journey to walking is different. Some children may take their first steps sooner, while others may require more time and support. What’s most important is to celebrate every small step along the way — whether it’s pulling to stand, taking a few steps with assistance, or even just showing interest in moving.

Therapy is not just about helping your child walk—it’s about supporting their overall physical development and helping them gain the skills they need to be as independent and mobile as possible. With the right support, your child can make significant progress, regardless of when they take their first steps.

If you have concerns about your child’s walking or motor development, our paediatric team is here to help. We’re committed to supporting your child’s journey every step of the way.