Ruby's Physical Therapist has suggested we do treadmill therapy.Below is an article I found on the therapy.What do you think about this?
ScienceDaily () -- Kinesiologsts developed a tiny treadmill to help infants with Downs Syndrome learn to balance themselves earlier. Typically, these children learn how to walk at 24 to 28 months, later than the 12 months for those without Downs. The treadmill exercise, used about 8 minutes a day, helps to reinforce the underlying pattern of coordination in the legs. This repetition helps build core muscles and support the drive to stand up. After the babies take eight to 10 steps without help, they are outfitted with light reflecting markers. The information from these markers is recorded on cameras, revealing gait, speed and width of their steps. Researchers show walking is occuring six months sooner with the treadmill.http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2009/0102-baby_treadmill.htm#
7 comments:
I think it is a really great idea. Just on Wednesday, my husband and I were shopping in Winners where we saw a child's treadmill and I said I wished we had the opportunity to do treadmill therapy with Gabriel. He still has an awkward and weak gait/balance.
Where do you get them? I think it sounds like a great idea!!
What a coincidence! I'm writing a post about it for tomorrow (hopefully). I'll include a link to your post. :-) I do this with Matthew (19 months old) at home but just on our regular treadmill at the slowest setting.
My blog: Bill and Ria
Addie and I were actually at the PT this last week and she suggested and we tried the treadmill therapy and Addie loved it!! So on monday we pick up our very own treadmill to bring home!! (they have some grant that they are able to loan these out)...so I would say yes! do it..Addie loved it and I am so excited to start doing this with her!
I heard about this type of therapy but didn't know they actually made tiny ones specifically for our kids....how cool is that
I just love reading blogs. I learn so many new things. I've never even heard of this yet. Little J is only 9 months old and seems to be far from walking at this point, but if given the opportunity I'd definitely give it a try, not to force something earlier than he's ready for, but to encourage and excite him about walking. Good luck and I can't wait to read more about it here or maybe at Ria's.
This is very similar to the patterning programs from the Institutes for the Advancements of Human Potential (Glenn Doman) and exercises from NACD. Science is catching up with the much pooh-poohed ideas from the 1950's!
Go for it, all of you with young ones! Motor patterning is very important for all children. But don't sacrifice crawling for early walking. Crawling is a very important developmental stage.
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