Walking on the toes, or the ball of the foot, is fairly common when children are first starting to walk. Most kids outgrow it. But when it persists, can it be a sign of autism, motor delays or other physical problems?

Researchers in Sweden studied more than 1,400 children who were five and a half years of age. 35 of them were diagnosed with special needs. All of the parents were asked whether their child had a history of toe-walking and if he or she was still a toe-walker.

More than half of the kids who ever toe-walked spontaneously stopped the practice prior to the study. A total of 70 kids, or 4.9%, were classified as current toe-walkers at age 5 and a half. For children with a neuropsychiatric diagnosis or developmental delays, the total prevalence for toe-walking was 41-percent at their 5-and-a half year school checkup.

The study, published in Pediatrics, confirms earlier findings that toe walking is far more prevalent in children with cognitive delays. If you have concerns about your child's development, ask for a developmental assessment.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines with Healthday TV, with the news that doctors are reading, health news that matters to you.