What Is Body Spatial Awareness?

Toe-walking means a child walks on the balls of their feet or toes without the heels touching the ground. It’s fairly common in toddlers learning to walk, but persistent toe-walking beyond age 2–3 may signal an underlying issue.

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Types of Toe-Walking

Toe-walking has a number of underlying causes or conditions. This condition occurs in young children as they learn to walk, however, if it lingers beyond the age of 2 or 3, there are a number of potential underlying causes. These may include:

Idiopathic Toe-Walking
- No identifiable medical cause
- Often in otherwise healthy children
- May run in families
Neurological or Developmental Causes
- Cerebral palsy
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Muscular dystrophy
- Spinal cord abnormalities
Orthopedic or Sensory Causes
- Tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles
- Sensory processing challenges (seeking specific input)
- Habitual or postural toe-walking

If your child cannot place their heels down, or their walking pattern is causing them pain, a physical therapy evaluation can shed light on the underlying causes. Furthermore, a personalized care plan which includes gentle exercise, strength-building patterns and other tools to assist.

Wondering About Developmental Milestones?

Have questions about your child’s development, or wondering if a certain diagnosis may be a fit? Try out our developmental screening tool— it’s a fast, free way to get a snapshot of your child’s progress on his or her developmental milestones.

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