There are many factors to consider when looking at difficulties with fine motor skills and handwriting. Using your hands for precise participation in activities, such as writing, has many prerequisites in order for successful completion. Difficulties with attention, postural control, motor planning, visual perception/processing, or visual-motor coordination can lead to difficulties with participating and learning essential skills, such as opening doors or lunch boxes, eating independently, brushing teeth, colouring, writing and cutting. This can further lead to challenges with academic progress, as it is difficult to keep up with classroom demands.

Occupational therapy will be able to determine the cause for difficulties with fine motor skills, and compile a personalized treatment plan to best suit the needs of your child and help them achieve their developmental milestones and develop the skills needed at home and school.

• Difficulty with dressing, such as buttoning or tying laces
• Struggles to hold a spoon or fork
• Difficulty sitting still during table-top activities
• Poor handwriting
• Difficulty copying from the board
• Difficulty holding/controlling a pencil
• Difficulty holding scissors and with cutting