My ds still does it alot, he is 7. He has SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) low muscle tone and low gross and fine motor skills. The w sitting creates stability in their posture. So far none of the OT's have said to discourage him from doing it but as his muscles strengthen he will do it less frequent. He rocks too when he does it.
I used to do it alot when I was little so I never really know it was not normal. I can still do it Snoopywoman, I don't think you have much to worry about. Just keep
asking her to do sit a different way (if she doesn't like "criss cross" you can
also try a 'side straddle' type of position). Someone mentioned stickers each
time she does it, you may try this until it becomes her natural way to sit.
"W" sitting can be a sign of low-tone. Our daughter has low-tone & is in PT
(has been on & off from 8-9 mos old), still has a tendency to do "W" sit. She
refused to sit in the tub otherwise, it gives her some extra stability. From
what I read, it does not sound like your dd has any motor issues, in fact, she
may even be advanced in some areas. My sister (NT) did it throughout
childhood, she ended up having some knee issues because of it (one knee
would pop out of place while running). It can also lead to hip issues.I can still do it, although I try to remember not to.
From what I've heard, most people by adulthood physically can't do it.
(I found this out the other day while trying to program a virtual avatar to do it, and the joint limits kicked in, and I was getting frustrated and trying to think I must have somehow done it wrong, but I didn't seem to have. Ended up having to turn the joint limits off. Then asked around and none of the adults I knew, even flexible ones, could still do it.)
I think that the only reason W-sits are associated with developmental delays is becuase most kids who W-sit have low muscle tone, and low muscle tone is associated with dev. delays.
Both of my kids love W sitting...my 10 yr old has aweful low tone and my 4 yr old has proximal strength issues...is she starting to swing on her own??? Will she sit far back or does she lean more forward?? This is a good way to test his lower back strength...I would discuss the problem with your ped and insist on a PT evaluation...my ped wanted to do one with my 4 yr old when he was not standing at 1 yr...
Good Luck!!
Well, she is only 3 and she is not quite learning to swing on her own. I didn't think that was a skill you learned until at least 4 - I know a few five year olds (NT) who can't swing on their own in fact! I have just started putting her in a bigger swing - she preferred the baby swing because last summer she insisted on sitting in a big swing and then fell off hard! The park we go to has a baby swing, an adaptive swing and a regular swing. She prefers the adaptive swing as usually there is an older child in the big swing. I will try and see how she does, but if memory serves me she does sit pretty far back.
I guess I don't see this as such a huge "problem" after hearing the responses. Motor-wise she seems pretty on target. She was definitely standing by one year. She walked right before 14 months (a little late, but well within normal). I did have the dev ped do an eval on her (for other reasons) before we left our old town. He said her motor skills were WELL within normal range for what he tested her on. He was impressed at her hopping on one foot (she wasn't yet 3) and balancing on one foot.
Again, we're new to this town and I haven't met the pediatrician yet. She doesn't have a history with us so I feel a little uncomfortable marching in there to insist on a PT evaluation when even I don't see that it's totally necessary. If I see other clues, then I might take her in - but as of right now, I don't see it. Are there other things I should be looking for?
Actually taught CC how to swing on her own, this summer and she is 3!
T herself did not learn until 5.5.
No, W-sitting is not a big deal now -- but a habit perhaps better broken, is all I think.
My son is a "W" sitter. Does anybody know whether W sitting can cause their feet to turn in when they walk? Adam has never had this problem before, but just lately I see it a little bit..... I have been working on the "criss cross applesauce" which he loves to say...but not so much do. Just FYI, a person can have motor issues and be advanced in some areas. My motor skills problems are such that they result in very poor motor skills in some situations and excellent motor skills in others (even when it's technically the same physical actions that are being required).Wow, I didn't realize that teachers realized that was bad (at least years ago). I used to sit that way - and yes, I did have motor issues. So, I do have concerns about my dd doing this! But I honestly can't find anything that she does that isn't considered typical at her age in terms of motor skills. A tad behind in drawing, but otherwise fine.
I think the swinging is not very typical at age 3 - but maybe I'm wrong. Our neighbors who are turning 5 on Sunday still can't do it well - I know this because I pushed them for a LONG time on the swing a few weeks ago. Every time I stopped, they would try to pump and within a few turns they would ask to be pushed again. They are NT (at least I assume so!). They are also pretty athletic.
I'm definitely correcting this behavior. BTW, I noticed my ds sitting this way today! He was outside and sitting digging - I corrected him and he looked embarrassed and said, "Oops!" I asked my dh and he hadn't seen him sit like that in a long time either. Ironic that it happened the day I posted about it! But, I will have to keep a closer eye on that to make sure he's not doing that. They can remind each other I guess!
I don't understand how "w" sitting could affect their ability to talk? That just doesn't make sense to me. But, I'm not a doctor or PT. Maybe someone could explain that?
I think it is important - and as people have said, there may be minor issues that you're not seeing. A thorough PT evaluation could maybe pick it up. But as in my case, I just can't justify one until I see things that she is not doing that she should be. One of the only things I currently see is her not going DOWN the stairs with alternating feet. She took swim lessons for 2 weeks and she passed everything at her level EXCEPT putting her face in the water. That isn't a trunk issue - that's a FEAR issue. The teacher told me that she is doing everything else well and there is no point in continuing until we work on her putting her face in.
Anyway, she seems pretty coordinated to me (gross-motor wise). We started working on the drawing a circle thing and she's still not getting it. So, perhaps fine motor may be a problem at some point...
I'm not a PT, but I think I remember hearing that it's a sign of weak gross motor skills. The W sitting is much more stable for them (a wider base). You need to encourage them not to sit this way so they can strengthen their trunk muscles. We always just say "feet in front" as a reminder. Good luck!Our OT and PT told us it is bad for the knees and to talk her out of it. We said criss-cross aplesauce to her until we were blue in the face! It is an indication of weak "core muscles." ie abs and back ...
I think it was my mention of it ... and now we are speculating if the ROLLER SKATING this summer is what is helping!
But yes it is not quite a symptom of autism -- we have a friend who STILL does it at 60! He is hyperflexible and SKINNY. Bicyclist.
My NT daughter still does this all the time - ASD child physically cannot do it anymore although he did it quite a bit as a baby. I taught them "criss cross applesauce" which is just sitting indian style, but they love to say "criss cross applesauce" so I can easily get my daughter to change up her sitting style by getting her to mimic me. My 18 year old neice still 'W' sits! Some OTs think that it's bad for kid's development in general, but my intuition is telling me that the association between 'W' sitting and developmental disorders is dogmatic, at best.I used to do that as a child. I am very flexible. In fact I think I have done inSomeone mentioned this in another post and it reminded me... My dd does this a lot of the time. I have to remind her not to. My ds USED to sit like this - but usually does not anymore (after 2 1/2 years of PT).
I remember someone telling me once that this could be a red flag for autism or some kind of developmental issue. It was a professional who told me this (might have been ds' former PT).
Anyway, I have a few concerns about dd, although she is extremely conversational, exceptionally empathetic and is very good at sharing, taking turns - and she just turned 3. But this "w" sitting is driving me nuts! Besides reminding her not to sit like that - what else can I do?
BTW, "w" sitting is when your child sits with his/her legs splayed looking like a "w". This is not easy for adults to do and I know our PT said it is not good for joints. Basically, the child kneels and then kind of scoots their legs out and sits in between the bent legs. Takes a LOT of flexibility - but again, is not good for their joints.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Could it be just "low tone" ? Maybe an Ot could do an eval. Or even a PT? We had C evaled by a PT because of low tone, but he doesnt need physical therapy for it. He doesnt W sit, but he leans on everyone and everything and doesnt always use both hands to do a task that requires 2 hands...poor motor planning.Schools teach "criss cross applesauce" (indian style) so much that we do it at home too..Sarah likes the W position but I tell her...criss cross Sarah! ;)Wow - thanks for all the posts! I don't think she has low tone but I could be wrong. I don't know what our new insurance covers as far as PT or OT. And since I haven't actually met our new pediatrician yet, I don't know what she will think about referring her for that just because of "w" sitting.
My dd climbs well, goes up stairs with alternating feet (but not downstairs yet), pedals a tricycle, can hop on one foot, can balance on one foot for over five seconds, etc. She does not quite draw a circle yet. We were working on that before we moved and I have completely forgotten that since! I do need to get back on that... But she colors and often uses the advanced grip. Her pincer grip is really good and she is able to grasp very small objects by using this.
Anyway, I just don't see the low tone - the only thing I see is the "w" sitting. I do tell her criss-cross applesauce a ton. My ds heard it till I was blue in the face as well. I rarely see him sit that way - in fact, I can't remember the last time he did! But his balance and coordination have improved so dramatically with PT it is amazing! He is riding without training wheels - although we are still working on the balancing and steering at the same time. He has very poor upper body strength, but we work on that a LOT! And right now he is swimming every day (we're taking swim lessons) as is my dd.
But, it's good to know what to watch out for. Is there anything I might be missing in terms of motor skills that I should be looking for? You would think I would remember from ds - but there were SO many with him that I lost track!
What I was told is it is low tone in the ABS and BACK that is subtle ... that, or just plain a LAZY HABIT! Tuhina has VERY good gross motor skills and pretty much always did. Her fine motor developed late (5.5), but then, with a VENGEANCE!