Motor delays, fine and gross motor deficits include difficulty with using hands, legs, arms, and muscles responsible for movement. Fine motor skills involve the use, strength and coordination of small muscle movements which occur in the hands, fingers and thumb in coordination with the eyes.
These movements enable functions such as:
- Handwriting
- Cutting
- Coloring
- Pasting
- Computing
- Grasping small objects
- Buttoning and zipping
- Shoe tying
- Dressing
- Grooming such as brushing teeth, hair, washing face
- Self-feeding
These above examples of fine motor functions are critical for activities of daily life. Children need these skills to excel in school and socially.
Motor Delays and Disorders are Evaluated and Treated through Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy targets maximally improving and individuals ability to function within their “occupation”. For example, A child’s occupation is attending school and play.
The process begins with evaluation. The occupational therapist can determine the specific areas of deficit in order to delineate a treatment plan that will focus on facilitating acquisition of developmental milestones. Therapy for fine motor skills may look like play, and the activities are often highly enjoyable for children. However, the therapist is gauging a child’s ability carefully and systematically increasing their skills through research based best practices.
There are many programs that occupational therapists use that have been developed specifically for these issues. One example is “Handwriting Without Tears”. This program involves a complete curriculum for handwriting and is an excellent therapeutic tool. At Baron Therapy Services, LLC, the occupational therapists have been certified in, and regularly utilize a wide range of therapeutic programs. Each child is assessed to determine which programs would benefit him or her as each child’s learning style is unique.
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to speak directly with our occupational therapists. They are happy to help!