Gait of the mentally challenged?

Question

This is a sincere question to those of you who work with mentally challenged people. Can you explain why invariably they have an unusual gait, often a shuffle or stoop, something in fact that makes them visually different before their mental impairment is known? I am absolutely not being insulting here. I have a child with Asperger's Syndrome and even his walk is unusual, but not dramatically, but then again he is not intellectually impaired. I have always wondered this and not found a suitable place to ask.

Answer 1

sometimes it is due to sensory integration disorder....

Answer 2

Sometimes their gait is 100% normal - Think Radio in real life.  Other times, it's that they fail to recognize social cues regarding their walk.  Stand up straight means little to them.  It might also be from a genetic issue that caused the MR. Other times it can be a five year old wanting to cling to their mom (in their mind ) in a 25 year old's body.  Sometimes, it can be from a very mild case of cerebral palsy.  As the other answerer state, sensory disorders (upcoming issue!) is becoming more recognized, too.

Answer 3

i would say hes at a slight disadvantage no matter how you look at it but he can work through it and still live a successful life.

Answer 4

Some of the kids I have laugh for no reason....

Answer 5

I think I know what you are talking about. I sometimes watch a boy with Autism. The way he walks sometimes makes me think he's gonna fall flat on his face, but he never does. He's a fun kid most of the time.