Special Needs Behavior and Development

Therapist Questions & Answers - Special Needs & Medical Diagnoses

My son has been diagnosed with Noonan's. He is presently on the medication Verapamil. However, he is now 15 months old and still shows no indication of desiring to sit up and his legs cannot support his body. He holds up his head in an erect position but it seems that the his muscular and bone development to support his body in a sitting or standing position is not occurring. Is this normal for a baby with this illness? If not, who do I consult?

Many children with Noonan Syndrome have motor delays such as you have described with your son and will benefit greatly from pediatric physical therapy (also called pediatric physiotherapy). I could not find any specific resources for Belize, but do consult with your son's doctor and see if your son is able to receive physical therapy services. Noonan Syndrome can cause bone and musculature development to be delayed (many people with this syndrome are of short stature) and children can have what is called hypotonia (low muscle tone) which makes it difficult for them to move their body against gravity and leads to developmental delays in attaining motor skills such as rolling, sitting, crawling & walking. Clumsiness and poor coordination are also sometimes present with this diagnosis, and these are all things that a physical therapist can work on with your child. Some, not all children have also been found to have muscle and joint pain which makes movement difficult. Continue to consult with your child's doctor about the best medications and treatments available in your area. Many children will also benefit from speech therapy services as they get closer to the age of two. For specific questions and concerns related to Noonan's Syndrome, you can contact the Noonan Syndrome Support Group. 

Therapist Questions & Answers - Special Needs & Medical Diagnoses

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