Fine Motor Skills

• difficulty constructing toys, such as blocks, legos, or pegs

• difficulty coloring within a provided boundary

• signs of or complaints of fatigue when coloring/writing/drawing, cutting

• struggling with cutting, fasteners (zipping, buttons), coloring/writing/drawing

• alternating hand use while completing age appropriate fine motor tasks

• struggling with activities of daily living (ADL) and self care, such as dressing, feeding and using utensils

• taking extra time, avoiding and/or becoming frustrated when attempting fine motor tasks

Visual Perceptual Motor Skills

• difficulty assembling puzzles or copying block forms

• difficulty catching or hitting a ball

• letter reversals and poor letter formation

• poor line awareness in handwriting and coloring

• difficulty copying written work as well as pictures/shapes

• difficulty keeping place when reading, writing, and completing a busy worksheet

• confusing similar shapes, letters, and numbers

• difficulty recognizing partially hidden objects

• trouble spacing appropriately between letters and words

Core Strength and Stability

• signs of fatigue: slouching, resting head on desk or hand, frequent changing of position, laying down or leaning on items while seated on floor

• ‘W’ sitting

• poor balance

• avoid gross motor games and activities

• fidgeting or trouble paying attention

• difficulty with fine motor control

• history of delayed gross milestone development (rolling, crawling, walking)

• difficulty with stabilizing the body to complete self-care tasks (putting on shoes/socks)

​Motor Planning and Praxis

• Poor body scheme and body awareness

• difficulties coordinating both hands together (ie. cutting, fasteners, tying shoes)

• taking a long time to learn new tasks

• difficulty following multi-step instructions

• clumsiness (eg. constantly bumping into things or falling over)

• difficulty starting tasks

• difficulty completing tasks efficiently or in a timely fashion

• preference for familiar play routines or repetition of tasks instead of developing new ideas

• frustration or avoidance of new tasks and fear of failure

• difficulty riding a bike or scooter

• withdrawn on playground or during PE

Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation

• lack of awareness of where their body is in space and may appear clumsy

• tantrums in busy, loud, or unfamiliar environments and from sensory overload

• tantrums or avoidance or bathing, oral hygiene, hair brushing, and other self-care tasks

• standing too close or speaking too loudly to others

• bumping into things easily

• seeking out extra sensory input and appear to have excess energy (ie. spinning or swinging, difficulty sitting still, touching people/things, and chewing on clothing)

• dislike of new clothing, tags on clothing

• aversion to noise and/or light