13MO not really using hands, anyone with similar experience on how to help?

[Ouchdownthere]

My DS, 13MO was identified as being globally delayed at 8.5 months. We don't have an official diagnosis, probably not expecting there to be one as current Paed thinks there is no medical reason for his delay. We have yet to have seen the Multi disciplinary assessment report but the paed put in a physio referral GDD with reduced trunchal tone / hypermobility and sensory issues around hands and mouth.

Due to our location we can only access NHS / OT once a month during a group session, this has been cancelled again today. So DS has only had two sessions since his delay was identified.

He is 13 Months and can sit but not unaided, if he fell he would not use hands to protect himself at all. He will progress with help and I am doing what I can but I know there must be more. His main issue, which is what I am hoping to find someone else with similar experience of, is he doesn't really use his hands. Paed thinks he has a sensory issue around hands and mouth, he is doing more than ever with his hands in terms of batting out and, randomly, can very crudely turn pages in books (his main activitY is being read to) but he has no pincer grip and not hugely interested in taking hands out of mouth to touch / play with other things. He feeds really well but only spooned rough purée and breastfeeds as bottle / cup refuser. At OT last session the advice was messy play (hand on hand in lentils / pasta etc) and squeezing his arms and hands. There seems to be little positive effect from doing this, he shows no decreasing sensitivity and if anything the osteopath sessions he has been having are what seem to have helped his body relax and his hands come out more.

Has anyone had any experience of sensory issues that manifest themselves with hands stuck in mouth and a reluctance to explore? Did you have any success with any activities / therapies?

I feel like we are a bit stuck and I just know he can do more with more help.

Hi Ouch, my ds2 was dx's with GDD (very prem) dx was later changed to autism, learning diffs & mild cerebral palsy.
DS2 never instinctivly learned to use his hands he had to be taught. There was a mix of reasons... poor muscle tone & head control when young so he had a floppy neck/head so really was an effort to lift his arms.
Poor reflexes, no save reflex so would never put arms out to save himself.
The delays in developing the above meant he never really learnt ot reach out for objects or what his hands were for.
The physio worked with us to help develop his reflexes, so lots of tipping him up, rolling him on a blanket so he almost tipped off etc.
We worked on neck & trunk control with exercises to build upper body tone & control, again lots of physio exercises.
We had to work on stimulating his reach response to objects (iykwim) so for example we would prop him in his highchair (well supported) and put his arms out on his tray with objects in front.. we would start by moving his hand on to the object & showing him how to grasp it, hand over hand.
We then moved on to prompting his hand to move, firstly by giving it a shove towards the object, gradually reducing the prompting to a stroke on the back of the hand.
We did a huge amount of play, rough & tumble type stuff, bath play etc with ds2 & touch is probably the only area that he does not have sensory sensitivities now, not sure if thats related.

Yes I've experience with this with DSD. She was eventually dx with Rett Syndrome at 2.5yrs.

Hands constantly put in her mouth and not using them were a big sign of Retts for her.

Sorry I just realised I didn't answer your question, sore head and tiredness are to blame! Wrist splints helped her to try and keep her from putting her hands in her mouth but as soon as they are off they're back in her mouth again. She sleeps with them on too. Nothing has helped with encouraging her to use her hands either, but not having any use of her hands is a big issue for Rett sufferers and she probably won't ever use them.

Thats's all really interesting, thank you both.

I really like the idea of the reaching on the high chair, I will try that. I think he turns pages as has seen us do it soooooo many times.

Thanks again.