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Fine motor skills

Find out how we can help

Fine motor skills are key to the development of children's handwriting and drawing

Fine motor skills guide the small movements of the hand and fingers that allow a child to write and draw, as well as manipulate buttons, zips or scissors. When these skills are under-developed, the results can include reduced independence, school performance and self-confidence.

We work with children and their families as well as school staff, using proven techniques for improving fine motor skills.

How OT's help

Whether your child's school has identified problems with their fine motor skills or you have noticed such difficulties yourself, we can help.

Childhood development is complex and not all children will move at the same pace, but some of the most common reasons that a parent will contact us with concerns about their child's fine motor skills include:

  • An awkward or immature pencil grasp
  • Messy or slow writing, drawing or colouring
  • Excessive tiredness after short periods of writing, drawing or typing
  • Difficulty when using scissors or performing precise manipulations such as fastening buttons, zips or shoelaces
  • Problems performing self-care tasks independently
  • Reluctance to engage with tasks requiring hand-eye coordination such as building Lego

Our assessment process allows a specialist occupational therapist to identify the nature of your child's difficulties with fine motor skills, and the reasons for them. Once identified, we can work with you and your child to put in place a plan to address them.

Packages of care

We are flexible around the needs of your child and family and have a variety of fine motor skill treatment packages to ensure we provide the right solution for you. All of our interventions are oriented towards ensuring that you and your child see measurable improvements.

This might include one or more of the following:

  • An eight-week block of one-to-one bespoke treatment sessions, delivered to your child at home or school, after which we will review and plan the next steps with you
  • An intensive block of treatment delivered over the holidays - this is popular with overseas families, or those with limited weekend or after-school capacity in term time
  • A home and school programme providing practical, everyday techniques, with advice and support to ensure that the approach is consistent throughout your child's day
  • Attendance at a fine motor skills group at weekends or over the holidays

Common areas we work on

Through our assessment we will identify the specific fine motor skills that your child is struggling with, and the source of these difficulties, allowing us to plan a targeted treatment programme.

Some of the most common areas that we would expect to be working on include:

  • Hand dominance
  • Bilateral integration
  • Finger isolation
  • Hand and finger strength
  • Working with parents and schools to ensure that the right approaches to developing fine motor skills continue even when the OT is not present

Schools, LEAs and businesses

Is your organisation looking for professional OT services?

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Common conditions we help with

Find out more about how our OT’s can help by visiting our pages dedicated to specific conditions associated with fine motor skill difficulties.

Why The OT Practice

We recognise the importance of knowing that you and your child are in safe hands. That is why, when you first make contact with us, you will straightaway be able to explain your concerns to a member of our client management team who will be able to provide relevant information about our services, answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on next steps. This dedicated paediatric team will then remain in charge of your case through any subsequent assessment and treatment we provide.

Other reasons to rely on The OT Practice include:

  • We visit you and your child at home or school at a time convenient for you, with no clinics or waiting lists, offering after-school and weekend appointments where necessary
  • We devise home and school-based treatment plans to ensure that our assessment and advice is relevant to each child’s unique environment
  • Our nationwide network of registered children’s occupational therapists allows us to find you the right local therapist
  • Intensive treatment available during the school holidays
  • We believe our role is to equip you and your child to become as autonomous as possible – ultimately independent of, and not dependent upon, the help we provide

Services for businesses, organisations and the public sector

Schools

Delivering individual or group therapy for children, or advice and training to up-skill members of staff.

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LEA's

Occupational therapy provision at home or school as recommended in an EHCP or Statement on behalf of LEA's.

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Healthcare concierge

Assessment and treatment services for clients in their own homes both in the UK and internationally.

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Solicitors

We provide solicitors with professional reports for educational tribunals or rehabilitation needs.

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Case managers

Providing OT to families & children with complex or multiple needs to achieve optimum independence.

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Next steps

Initial enquiry

During your initial call to us you can discuss your concerns with a member of our paediatric client management team, who will be able to understand what your child's difficulties are, provide information and advice on our services and identify the right OT from our team.

Quote

If therapist input is recommended, we will send you a detailed quote via email or in writing explaining what, after a full assessment, we propose and how much it would cost, as well as rates for further work that might be recommended in the future.

Referral

Once you have had time to consider the options and costs, and if you would like to go ahead, the next step would be to fill in our online referral form. In the meantime, if you have further concerns or questions then our client manager will be happy to discuss them with you.

Assessment

Our therapist will then contact you within 24 hours to arrange an assessment visit at home or school, a mixture of formal and observational methods - as well as conversation with yourself, your child and their school - after which you will receive a comprehensive written report.

Advice

The report will include a clear record of our findings and recommendations, together with practical advice on how to help your child. Where additional involvement is required, we will follow up the report with a detailed quotation so that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.

As Private Occupational Therapists our aim is to provide choices and guidance to help you decide what the best options are for you

Some of our paediatric specialists

Meet a selection of our occupational therapists who are experienced in assessing and treating children with fine motor skill difficulties.

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Alice

Down, Northern Ireland

Located in County Down, Alice is a Paediatric OT who supports children and their families across Northern Ireland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Northern Ireland, Antrim, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Natasha

London - Central, Essex

Natasha is a highly skilled occupational therapist specialising in paediatrics and sensory integration.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Essex

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Sensory integration

Amber

Kent, South East of England

ADOS-trained Occupational Therapist, Amber supports children and their families across the South East of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability, Mental Health

Kirsty

Renfrewshire, Scotland

Kirsty is an expert Paediatric OT who supports children with a range of conditions across West Scotland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Glasgow (City of), Glasgow

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Counselling

Julia

Kent, South East of England

Julia is a dedicated Paediatric Occupational Therapist with extensive experience in working with children from infancy through school age.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Claire

Brighton, East Sussex

Claire is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist specialising in supporting children with developmental, behavioural, and sensory challenges across the South East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, East Sussex, Essex, Kent, London - Central, London - South, London - East, London - West, Brighton

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Learning disability

Dawn

Cornwall, West and South West of England

Dawn is an OT based in Cornwall, providing expert assessments and therapy for both adult and paediatric clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Cornwall, Devon

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, The Listening Programme

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Lynne

Middlesbrough, Durham

Lynn, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in seating and postural management and works in the North of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Durham, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, AMPS, CBT, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Postural management, Learning disability, Mental Health

Amitav

London - South, Surrey

With over two decades of experience in paediatrics, Occupational Therapist Amitav provides therapy services to children throughout London and Surrey.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Surrey, London - Central, London - South, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Splinting

Karin

Cambridgeshire, East Midlands

Working as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist in the East Midlands, Karin assesses and treats children at home and education settings.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Rutland

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Postural management, DMO (Lycra) Splinting, School Based Therapy/Support

Marie

Worcestershire, West Midlands

Based in Evesham, Worcestershire, Marie is a Paediatric OT specialising in neurological conditions and brain injury.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Lucy

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Lucy delivers expert Functional Rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment assessments for clients across East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Behaviour management, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration

Katie

Gloucestershire, West and South West of England

Based in Tewkesbury, Katie is a specialist Paediatric OT delivering expert interventions across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Herefordshire, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Margaret

London - East, London

Margaret is a Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist in London, specialising in developmental and neurological conditions, including ASD, ADHD, and DCD.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Fran

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Working in the North East of England, Fran is a dedicated Occupational Therapist specialising in housing & equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, North Yorkshire, Newcastle upon Tyne

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Marie

Liverpool, Merseyside

Based in Merseyside, Marie provides expert neurological occupational therapy and rehabilitation to adults and children at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Shropshire, Conwy, Flintshire, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham, Liverpool

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Isobel

Southampton, Dorset

Isobel delivers expert Paediatric Occupational Therapy assessments and intervention to children in and around the South West.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Southampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Anthea

Essex, East Anglia

Anthea is a Sensory Integration trained Paediatric Occupational Therapist, providing specialised treatment and intervention to children with diverse needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Essex, Hertfordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, BOBATH, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, School Based Therapy/Support

Chia-Chien

London - South, Surrey

Chia is an occupational therapist fluent in Mandarin who specialises in paediatrics and neurology.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London , London - North, London - South, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Splinting, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability, TBI

Ciara

Tyrone, Northern Ireland

With over 20 years of experience, Occupational Therapist Ciara specializes in pediatrics and sensory integration, serving Northern Ireland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Northern Ireland, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Tyrone

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support

Sarah

Swindon, Wiltshire

Based in Swindon, Sarah is a Paediatric OT visiting children in a home or school setting across the South-West.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Berkshire, Bristol, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Swindon

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Makaton, Learning disability

Donna

Tyrone, Northern Ireland

Donna is a dedicated occupational therapist based in Northern Ireland, specifically serving the Tyrone region.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Armagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Katy

Durham, North East England

Katy is a Paediatric OT based in Chester-Le-Street, County Durham, experienced helping with a variety of physical and sensory needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Cleveland, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Chailey Postural Management, The Listening Programme

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support

Jo

London

Jo is a paediatric physiotherapist providing expert assessments and treatment for children across London and the home counties.

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Profession

Physiotherapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Gross motor skills, School Based Therapy/Support

Jennifer

West Sussex, South East of England

Trained in Sensory Integration, Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist Jennie, offers services to paediatric clients in Surrey, Sussex, Southampton and Portsmouth.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, East Sussex, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

Sam

OT Sam has 25 years experience, and specialises in pediatrics, brings a wealth of experience to her clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Rosie

Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Rosie is a Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner offering services across the East Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Sensory Attachment Therapy

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, School Based Therapy/Support, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability, Mental Health

Amy

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Specialising in paediatrics and sensory integration, OT Amy possesses expertise in fine and gross motor skills.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Sheffield

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution

Mary

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist Mary works with children across various settings in the South East of England and Oxfordshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Robyn

London - East, London

Occupational Therapist Robyn is a Paediatrics specialist working in London (Bow, Mile End, Stratford, Bethnal Green).

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London , London - Central, London - North, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Sensory Attachment Therapy

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

Foundations for Cutlery Skills at Mealtimes

Mealtimes are an important part of a child’s daily routine. In this article Rebecca outlines the developmental stages of feeding and cutlery skills and helps us understand possible barriers to feeding skills development, with guidance on how to address those concerns.

Read more

Our Experts' Blog

Stepping stones to independence – Dressing skills

Dressing is a key step towards independence for children, involving complex motor and sensory skills. This article explores typical dressing development, practical tips for parents and carers, and how occupational therapy can support children facing dressing related challenges.

Read more