Why Do People With Autism Often Walk On Their Toes?
Brian R. King, MSW
Helping parents of autistic or ADHD teens guide them toward lasting relationships with proven strategies, developed by an adult with autism and ADHD, through 1:1 mentoring and memberships | Connections: $99/month.
Yesterday, I caught myself toe-walking, and it sparked a fascinating conversation in our community. It turns out there's a lot others need to learn about this!
Toe walking in autism is often linked to sensory sensitivities, motor coordination challenges, or anxiety.
I have light touch sensitivity and am very ticklish (don’t even think about it!). I don’t like having socks and shoes on, and my ankles have been inclined to roll all my life, so toe walking often felt more stable.
In my teens, walking barefoot helped me feel calm and grounded like nothing else. I loved the feeling of the earth beneath my feet. But put me in a high school hallway, and I'd instinctively go back on my toes, or stomp as I walked, eager to escape the sensory mosh pit that was the passing period.
I often compare toe walking to a runner at the starting block, waiting for the 'pistol' so we can sprint or tip-toe away from danger.
My colleague Amy Lukos shared that toe walking is due to the activation of the Tendon Guard Reflex, which is part of our fight or flight response. Give it a Google; it’s quite interesting. This begs the question: why are we in fight or flight mode so much? Why don’t we feel safe in the world?
领英推荐
Our community discussion included stories of physical therapy and surgery to correct shortened Achilles tendons due to toe-walking.
Imagine if these folks learned to regulate their emotions and calm their anxiety as part of managing their toe-walking. I’m grateful in that my programs teach how to do exactly that.
The bottom line is that the shared experience of our community points to sensory and anxiety as the reasons for the toe-walking. Of course, motor issues and hyper-mobile joints (that’s another conversation) can factor in as well.
But please remember, this is more than a simple behavior or quirk of autism. It’s part of the always-in-alarm nervous system we’re wired with and have to go through the exhausting daily process of trying to achieve a modicum of calm and focus with. Especially with such a long list of people wanting it from us.
Helping parents of autistic or ADHD teens guide them toward lasting relationships with proven strategies, developed by an adult with autism and ADHD, through 1:1 mentoring and memberships | Connections: $99/month.
9 个月Add your name to the list here https://brianraymondking.com/pick-waitlist
Activities at Belmont Village Senior Living
11 个月That was a very helpful article. My son has been walking on his toes for a long time. He is 16 now. It great to see more insight. We want to do all we can to help our son. Thanks
Helping parents of autistic or ADHD teens guide them toward lasting relationships with proven strategies, developed by an adult with autism and ADHD, through 1:1 mentoring and memberships | Connections: $99/month.
11 个月Tyvm for sharing Amanda ????
Be the change needed in the world today
11 个月I love this study. For the last 15 years I have been studying energy and working with the frequency of the earth 7.83 Hz. I have seen how sensory overload takes us away from the earth frequency and the inability to ground. We are impacted with so many forms of sensory and the impact on the human body is above and beyond. Grounding techniques, meditation and reiki have changed the overload and helps bring me back to 7.83 to align my energetic self. It is all about staying in alignment of authentic self so we can vibrate at our highest potential. Thank you for sharing!