Fine motor skills question

[Jerbil]

A Paediatrician referred DS1 to OT 7 months ago. It's a years wait so needless to say still waiting. The Paediatrician did say she was referring him because of a poor pencil grip, excessive pressure on the page and then sensory issues.
A private assessment supported these findings.

However, DS1 can use scissors very, very well. His handwriting is very neat (perfectionist) but he needs to go slow.

Anyhow the question is can he really have fine motor skills problems if he can use scissors as this seems to be the be all and end all for HT and others at School?

The private assessment was from who? Assuming not OT. OT can be very specific as to exactly what area of fine motor skills and sensory issues your DS may have.
The writing is very slow probably because of the amount of pressure and energy used in holding the pencil to make each mark.
But I am a bit like you, I see my DS play xbox with lightening accuracy, then I see him try to do up a button and fail. How can someone with 1 skill not be able to transfer it to another activity. But he can't - he has no motor planning and sequencing skills (0.4 centile ) - each task has to be learnt on its own.
Does your DS do lots of things in a heavy handed way? Slams doors instead of shutting them, over enthusiastic when hugging, knocks into walls etc when rushing to get somewhere?

The private assessment was from a physiotherapist (pediatric) and she said his scores on tests (that he complied with) were very good. the problem was in how he went about the tasks. Poor planning and sequencing was mentioned, but the only thing he came out with a worrying score on was vision, hence the glasses and a visit next week to an SPLD clinic (NHS). referred by Optometrist.
Heavy handed? hmm thinking yes with the slamming doors. trips, doesn't watch where he is going. doesn't hug many people but loves to shower me with kisses and hang round my neck!
I had to complete a sensory profile, and this is where he really shows his true colours. having said that school do not again think anythings wrong! roll on the OT appointment.

I think Poor planning is a euphemism for dyspraxia.

Very often they don't write the correct label on their report. The last think they'd want is you asking for support for his problems.....

Can I be very nosy and ask which SpLD clinic you're going to? Message me if you don't want to tell the whole board. (It's just that I've found the treatment for SpLD on the NHS absolutely appalling)

The OT should be able to help with practical advice and exercises. My DS was recommended a mechanical pencil (by an OT) because if you press too hard the lead breaks.

Have you tried lots of different pencil grips to see if they help?

If he has vision problems a writing slope can help. Ask school if they have one he can try.

Anyway, yes. You can absolutely have fine motor problems and be able to use scissors. Like you said he might be able to use them, but the way he uses them might not be right. (My DS opens and closes his mouth every time he cuts :) Which the OT pointed out.)

Or he can use scissors because his pincer grip is fine, but he can't do other things he should be able to.

Write from the Start might be a good thing for him to try. It's very easy for you to do at home with him.

Thanks Indigo
I even bought triangular pencils for him in reception (year one now). at one point I asked him why he wasn't using it, he said he didn't know where they were. I asked the SENCO and she said well we like them to have a fresh start in each year and we were waiting for him to ask for it - aaarrrggghh. I mean come on, he was 5 (ripe old age of 6 now). He suffers with bad constipation that causes him a lot of pain and trouble. Does he ask for his medicine? Absolutely not!
They will not deploy anything until a specialist tells them, or unless they decide it. I got away with the pencils apparently.
I'm going to get the scissors out today and see what he does. It's amazing the things they pickup isn't it. DS1 is not let handed despite the fact he eats and writes wih his left hand , boy was I shocked!
I will have a look at Write from the Start, and PM you.
Thanks

My DS as a "SpLD in spelling, writing and fine motor skills", yet can use scissors fine, so it is possible....

mrsbaffled - what a great name and couldn't be more true in my case lol.

Thanks for this, exact evidence I was after.

My dd aged 13 writes left handed but uses scissors right handed! When coloring she uses the left hand for the left side and right hand for the right side. In her OT assessment they said that she favours her left hand for activities that she can do better with her right hand. I thought she would pass the abc movement test easy but it was the way she did things and the time it took that was the problem. When throwing a ball with her left hand at the target on the wall she tried to focus on it by closing her left eye and vice versa!

Jerbil, there's little I can add to what Indigo has said. Just to say also that he sounds as if he has crossed-laterality i.e. different side dominant for different tasks. So he might stand on his left foot to kick, put a telescope to his left eye and write with his right hand (you mentioned eating and writing with his left though not left handed).
His handwriting speed (and scissors speed if vvvv slow) can be an indicator of fine movement problems and/or dyspraxia.

Hi Yes he does have bilateral confusion according to the private Physio. I didn't realise it till she pointed it out. When reception teacher had identified issues she asked me to get him some fine motor stuff. I got Hama beads, so writes with left hand, then Hama beads = right hand! I had mentioned that to the said teacher but nothing was said.
I have many friends who are teachers, mostly they support my theory that they should teach and accept medical advice. Not decide that they know better and there aren't any problems! But of course I paid for this assessment. And while the psychologist, SALT welcomed the report with open arms, the education system prevents school from accepting the report.

Hi jerbil, just wanted to say that Dd3 uses a stabilo smoove pencil at school. It is thick and has rubber grips.for her fingers. She says her hand hurts less when she uses it. She has the pen as well. They are not the cheapest but you can buy them and the refills at cult pens with free delivery.

Her school have offered her some alternatives but she prefers the stabilo ones.

She still writes qite slowly though and is starting to feel the pressure now that she is in yr4