help with motor problems and handwriting

[tricot39]

In tests for Motor Coordination, DS drops to the 25th percentile and his fine motor coordination is at an age about 1 year less than his chronological age.

He may have some mild hypermobility in his hands and upper limbs and also has reduced posture and core strength during table top activities. He has to support his head and uses the environment to prop himself up.

Does anyone have any links for OT Hand exercises to improve fine motor skills, gross motor skills and core strength?

Thanks so much

[madwomanbackintheattic]

You should pm the lovely mrz, or advanced search for some of the tips threads she has contributed to (fine motor skills)Lots of threads. Lots and lots!

Has the OT carried out a seating assessment at school/ nursery? (You don't say age) Does he have physio for the core strength side?

dd2 props - she has issues with bore fine and gross motor and core strength (she does have low tone which contributes to hypermobility in her hands) she eventually moved to keyboard. In later years this can be sensible in order that the child is not disadvantaged by having to expend additional effort in recording, and can concentrate on learning itself. But lots of things to try and exercises to do in advance of that.

[tricot39]

Thanks for your reply. Year 2 child. We paid for a private OT handwriting assessment. We could go back for their handwriting programme and exercises (which would no doubt be great) but it would be really expensive so were going to try some DIY stuff in conjunction with the school over the next few months. So no formal assessment in school but the OT suggested a seat wedge and a tilted writing surface. I will search old threads now thanks.

[HoursTurnIntoDays]

Same issues with my DS

We are seeing an OT and Physio

To build up core strength - to ease the slumping at the table - we are doing exercises for gross motor skills. The Physio said to do wheelbarrows with DS everyday - so we start downstairs with DS walking across the kitchen and hall and up the stairs - on his hands - to his bedroom. We do 4 wheelbarrows. He also does 3 supermans - lies on a mat on his tummy and lifts his arms legs and head up for 30 seconds. And 2 hedgehogs - lies on his back and bends his legs in close to him and crosses his arms on his chest - and lifts his head off the ground for 30 seconds

The Physio said building up his strength like this will improve his gross motor skills and this will feed down to his fine motor skills -

His teacher this year said he slumps a little but it doesn't seem to be as bad as last year when he was slumped on the table - resting his head on his arm - so maybe the exercises are beginning to pay off

DS has a wobble cushion as he likes movement - but I think the wedge is to encourage the child to sit up more straight. DS has a writing slope as the OT said it would suit him as otherwise he holds his pen awkwardly.

For fine motor skills we pick one activity everyday
we do Hama beads - DS loves those.
Or DS makes me a necklace with small beads - or makes pretend food with playdough -
I also got a packet of assorted buttons in an arts and crafts shop and DS likes to put them on the a pipe cleaner - that's good as the holes in the buttons are small and he has to put the pipe cleaner in precisely and then pull the button down to the end of the pipe cleaner

I got him a water sprayer for the garden so he sprays the plants and cleans the windows while working on his finger skills.

[tricot39]

Just seen your replies as this thread dropped off my I'm On list. Thanks so much