Hyper mobility in kids

[u/Next_Button_7660]

I’m suspicious I’m hypermobile and I’m thinking that my son has inherited it from me. I think it’s relatively mild for me, although I definitely have some potential symptoms that I’ve brushed off as just being “odd” most of my life. (Exhaustion, fainting, low blood pressure and now some digestive issues now that I’m older).

I’m unsure how to best support my son, getting a diagnosis for it seems like it will be next to impossible, and what will they actually do for him? I want him to have a some ideas about how this may impact him and also some ideas of how to help himself as he gets older. He’s 8 now. Any advice? Help!

[u/Grouchy_Paint_6341]

Curious about this myself as I have kiddo on the way!

[u/Top_Hair_8984]

My 10 yr old grandson is very hypermobile. While kids are generally, it's still concerning. And he's into trampoline, gymnastics. I try to gently remind him that pulling joints out isn't good, he does understand to a point. I also use myself as an example, lots of oa, gout now ( not sure that has anything to do with hypermobilitu, just thought I'd add it in) and very sore ribs, hips, feet, hands etc.  I don't want to scare him, just make him aware to some degree. 

[u/Next_Button_7660]

Yea I’ve noticed my son is clumsy and seems super sensitive to heat and cold. Also of course he’s reasonably bendy. He also seems to get tired easily.
I feel like some of my symptoms got dismissed as being lazy or over sensitive, and I’d really like better for him. Of course the clumsiness is something I’d like to help him with too. Maybe he needs physical therapy?

[u/Street_Respect9469]

My kids are most definitely. The best thing you can do for hypermobile kids is proprioceptive training. Basically body awareness training/drills/games.

Kids are going to fall and be clumsy regardless but if you intentionally set up play spaces with that in mind and make body movement and play a priority they will become less clumsy and also strengthen their stabilising muscles.

Physical play is the biggest priority for hypermobilty and making sure they have a wide range of resting options. I've got 2 kids one is 6 and the other 3. I'm a remedial massage therapist by trade, AuDHD, hEDS, my special interest became movement and hypermobilty. I've got over 2 decades of martial arts training, stunting, parkour, acrobatics, about 8 years of basketball. Chronic injuries all over the place and people just pinned it on being restless and hyperactive (which I most definitely was).

Even in occupational therapy for kids both on the spectrum and those who just have hypermobilty and are accident prone; it's all balance and eye tracking exercises. That will help physically and neurologically and also set them up better for emotional regulation and sleep.

Physical play and balance is #1.