Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Eight-Month-Old Using One Side More Than the Other | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
My eight-month-old son uses his right hand and leg much less frequently than his left. Much of the time he keeps his right hand in a tight fist--occasionally he will open it, but he absolutely never reaches for anything with it, even if you hold his left hand down. He can bear weight on his right leg even though he doesn't kick with it as often as with the left, and it's clear that he is able to open his fist, he just usually doesn't. Our pediatrician has referred us to a physical therapist and a neurologist, but while I'm waiting the long weeks until those appointments, I was wondering if you could give me any tips about additional things I could watch for or do, or anything I should be educating myself about.— Nicole Zinn in Tacoma, WA | | | ANSWER |
April 22, 2002 | | | Dear Nicole,
Your careful and detailed description calls to mind the condition called cerebral palsy. People often connect cerebral palsy with images of severely disabled children and adults. But many infants also have mild forms of the disorder, which may even get better over time.
Of course, without actually examining your son, I can't know whether or not the diagnosis of cerebral palsy fits. Having him examined by a pediatric neurologist and a physical therapist is clearly the right thing to do.
While you're waiting for those appointments, the most important thing to do is to enjoy being with, and playing with, your son. There are no special exercises or activities that need to take place. But it is important that your son has joyful, stimulating interactions with you, and with objects. Our section on Brains and Thinking will give you lots of ideas and insights.
You did not mention whether or not your baby was able to sit and either scoot or crawl. If he's not sitting on his own, you can help him by holding him in your lap or letting him sit up in an infant seat. That way, he can begin to see the world from a new perspective.
Babies around this age often are beginning to be mobile. If your son is not, you may want to help him to get around sometimes, either bringing him where he wants to go or bringing things to him. You don't need to overdo this, of course, but now and then you may want to extend his reach in this way.
While playing with your baby, you may want to encourage him to use his right side. For example, see if he will hold an interesting object with his right hand now and then. If he begins to become frustrated or bored, don't push the issue. As long as he is having fun, he is learning. When you play "this little piggy," count the toes on both the right and left feet. When you give your son a bath, move and massage both sides of his body, while talking to him. All of these every-day sorts of activities are pleasant and important for your baby's optimal development.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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