Asd and hand/finger strength

[fingerstrength]

Hi, my ds has asd and recently (well always but noticing more now he's getting older) he seems to have barely any strength in his hands, he can't open a packet of crisps for example, pull magnets apart, push down the trigger on a spray bottle.

Is this a normal part of asd and to do with fine motor skills?

Sounds like ds who has hypotonia, he can't even wring out a dishcloth, tie shoelaces or do buttons & he is 19. Ask to be assessed by an OT through whoever diagnosed their autism.

Fingerstrength the hurt leg thing rings bells for me with ds, I have spent so many times in the early hours of the morning at children's A & E with ds after he has torn his calf muscles stretching in bed, it starts off as cramp, he tries to stretch it out & the muscle tears. He finally got a diagnosis of EDS Hupermobility last year as well as the hypotonia, does your ds have stretchy skin or can bend his fingers to touch his wrist? Ds has both.

I have seen that àsd and difficulty with motor skills are quite common together.

Great to hear he has been referred to OT. I second the theraputty - a tube of different strengths pots is about £20. They can work from the softest to the hardest.

There are loads of things you can do to build dexterity that won't seem like an actual exercise. As mentioned, playdoh and Lego are fab. If he can't use scissors you can buy squeezy scissors which help.

I found lots of ideas on Pinterest by looking for specific fine motor skills.

I have some resources from work with activities, send a pm if you're interested.