Why do children walk on toes?
Walking on the toes or the balls of the feet, also known as toe walking, is fairly common in children who are just beginning to walk. Most children outgrow it.
As long as your child is growing and developing normally, toe walking is unlikely to be a cause for concern.
Toe walking sometimes can result from certain conditions, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and autism spectrum disorder.
When to see a doctor
If your child is still toe walking after age 2, talk to your doctor about it. Make an appointment sooner if your child also has tight leg muscles, stiffness in the Achilles tendon or a lack of muscle coordination.
Causes
Typically, toe walking is a habit that develops when a child learns to walk.
In a few cases, toe walking is caused by an underlying condition, such as:
- A short Achilles tendon.
- Cerebral palsy.
- Muscular dystrophy.
- Autism.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toe-walking/symptoms-causes/syc-
20378410
