Trying to Reduce Toe-walking among children with Autism

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Well theres one negitive thing about toe-walking for me, I go through twice as meny shoes is most people and that costs money, then again the fix will likely cost more. I have broken the soles of my shoes in half meny times and honestly thats when they feel their best, until it rains that is.

The human body is not designed to solely toe-walk, and any unusual walking pattern can lead to problems. Like people with very flat feet - they often have a non-standard walking pattern and get problems.

In my case, I think I am not totally representative of all toe-walkers, because I also used to have those knock-knees, and I have slightly loose joints.
However, the knock knees have been resolved when I was little, and my hypermobility is not severe. I don't get sprains etc.

If I had not toe-walked it is not likely I would have the problems I have now.
But if my joints had not been so loose, I probably wouldn't have the problems either!
It's a combination of factors.
But there is so far no cure for hypermobility, so I would have benefited me if I had learned not to toe-walk as a child.

I have shortened achilles tendons and calf muscles, and my leg joints are misaligned, which causes some to hurt or 'pop' at random times. I also have plantar fasciitis. None of it is serious, but I can't run, and after long walks my feet are stiff and sore and I can't put them flat on the floor even if I want to. My hips sometimes get stuck, which is a right nuisance because when that happens I can't even lie down comfortably!

I do stretch exercises and try to walk on flat feet to avoid further problems.

I don't know why toe-walk(ed). I can't say it brings me joy. I think it was partly because I grew up in a tropical country, so walked on bare feet most of the time and I didn't like to feel things under my feet. That is not the case anymore; I am not so sensitive anymore and usually wear slippers or shoes with soft insoles.

Charlesmonster... the human body IS designed to sit. Just not as long as the average computer addict (like me!) does it!
Just like with toe-walking really; of course we are 'designed' to do that. Normally, people run on their toes.
I wrote that our bodies are not designed to SOLELY walk on the toes, and like all things done in excess, it will eventually lead to problems.

With kids, the issue is of course that you cannot know when a particular child will get joint/muscle/tendon problems from excessive toe-walking, or how bothersome the effects will be. The child may not have any problems when young - I didn't!- but the effects only come when they are older and it's really too late to do much about it. I try not to toe-walk anymore, but the damage to my joints is done and will only get worse as I get older.

Honestly, I don't care about being socially acceptable, certainly not for kids. I do care about keeping their bodies in such a shape that they can still walk when they are 40!

If I had a child who walked on her toes I would try to limit it. I'd never tell the child that it was a bad thing to do though, but I'd explain the possible consequences and tell her that if she does it less often that would probably limit the risks involved. And I'd get her soft padded boots if she liked that!
Of course it is harder if the child doesn't understand.

My son has flat feet and out-turned ankles. He was also born with a dislocated hip which has been corrected. His walking style is likely to cause him problems when he gets older, certainly because he already has an unstable hip. He knows this, At the moment he has no problems. He wears corrective insoles and tries to keep his feet straighter (with little success!) and we can only hope that those things will help limit any possible negative effects.