Fine Motor Skill Development | Occupational Therapy Adelaide
Fine motor skills involve using small muscles in the hands and fingers for precise tasks like writing, buttoning, or handling objects. Difficulties in this area can affect schoolwork, self-care, and play. At Thrive Health Therapies, we help individuals develop fine motor skills to perform everyday tasks confidently, improve coordination, and participate more independently at home, school, and in social settings.
What are Fine Motor Skills?
Fine motor skills refer to the ability to use the small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists to perform precise movements. These skills involve coordination between the brain, nervous system, and muscles, enabling tasks like grasping, pinching, writing, and manipulating objects. Fine motor skills also encompass the movement of the upper extremities, including reaching and hand-eye coordination, which are essential for daily life activities. They differ from gross motor skills which involve the development of larger muscle groups needed for movements such as running and jumping.
In children, fine motor skills are foundational for tasks such as holding a pencil, buttoning clothes, or using scissors. Developing and refining fine motor skills is critical for children as they grow, helping them achieve independence and succeed in school, play, and other daily activities.
Why are Fine Motor Skills Important?
Fine motor skills are an important component of children’s well-being and development.
Self-Care
Fine motor skills enable children to perform everyday tasks such as dressing (e.g., zipping jackets, tying shoelaces), feeding themselves, and brushing their teeth. These tasks are important milestones that foster independence and confidence.
Academic Success
These skills are necessary for classroom activities such as holding a pencil to write, cutting with scissors, using a ruler, or manipulating small objects during hands-on learning activities. Well-developed fine motor skills are foundational for legible handwriting and efficient schoolwork.
Play and Social Interaction
Fine motor development supports activities like building with blocks, drawing, or playing with toys, fostering creativity and social engagement. Through play, children practice and refine their motor skills while developing problem-solving and teamwork abilities.
What Might Difficulties with Fine Motor Skills Look Like?
Challenges with fine motor skills can vary among children, but some common signs include:
Struggling to hold a pencil or crayon correctly, leading to messy or illegible handwriting.
Difficulty using scissors, cutting in a straight line, or following patterns.
Finding it hard to manipulate small objects, such as building blocks, buttons, or puzzle pieces.
Avoiding or becoming frustrated with tasks that require fine motor control, such as tying shoelaces, buttoning clothes, or drawing.
Delays in reaching developmental milestones, such as stacking blocks, using utensils, or drawing simple shapes.
These challenges can impact a child’s confidence, participation in school activities, and ability to perform daily tasks independently.
How Do Occupational Therapists Help with Fine Motor Development?
Occupational therapists (OTs) play a vital role in assessing and addressing fine motor challenges in children. Through tailored interventions and engaging activities, they help children improve their skills and gain confidence. Here’s how OTs can help:
Assessment
Occupational therapists begin by observing how the child performs specific tasks, such as writing, cutting, or handling small objects. They evaluate muscle strength, coordination, and sensory processing to identify the underlying causes of fine motor difficulties. Based on the assessment, OTs create personalised intervention plans tailored to the child’s unique needs.
Interventions for Children
Occupational therapy for children often involves play-based activities to make learning fun and engaging. Examples include:
Strengthening Exercises: Activities like squeezing therapy putty, threading beads, or using tweezers to pick up small objects help develop hand strength and dexterity.
Handwriting Support: OTs teach proper pencil grip, posture, and techniques to improve legibility and reduce fatigue.
Sensory Integration: For children with sensory processing challenges, OTs provide strategies to regulate sensory input, improving focus and motor control.
Task Analysis and Practice: Breaking down complex tasks (e.g., tying shoelaces) into smaller, manageable steps helps children gain confidence and competence.
Play-Based Therapy: Engaging activities like building with blocks, crafting, or playing games that require hand-eye coordination help children practise fine motor skills in a fun and stress-free environment.
Collaboration with Families and Educators
Occupational therapists work closely with parents, caregivers, and teachers to ensure a supportive environment. They provide:
Education about fine motor challenges and strategies to support progress at home and school.
Guidance on creating opportunities for practice, such as incorporating fine motor exercises into daily routines.
Recommendations for adaptive tools, like special grips for pencils or modified scissors, to make tasks easier and more achievable.
How We Deliver Occupational Therapy at Thrive Health Therapies
Thrive Health Therapies offers community-based, clinic-based, and telehealth occupational therapy.
Community-Based Services: We provide community-based occupational therapy in your home, school or kindergarten, or a location convenient to you throughout metropolitan Adelaide. Learn more about our service areas.
Clinic-Based Services: We provide clinic-based sessions at our Findon clinic.
Telehealth Services: We also offer comprehensive telehealth services, providing clients with convenient, video-based therapy consultations for those who may have difficulty travelling to our clinic or prefer the convenience of remote support.
Funding Options for Occupational Therapy
We accept a variety of funding options, making augmentative and alternative communication therapy accessible for everyone:
Private Health Insurance
Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plans (GP Team Care Arrangements)
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
Why Choose Our Occupational Therapy Services?
No wait time: We can start working with paediatric or adult clients straight away!
Experienced: Our occupational therapists have extensive experience working with individuals of all ages.
Extensive Coverage in the community: We serve a large geographical area, providing occupational therapy services across all of metropolitan Adelaide from Gawler to Aldinga. We see clients at home, in their school or kindergarten, or at a location convenient to them.
Clinic space: Our Findon clinic has been specially designed to be appropriate for a wide range of presentations and disabilities.
Individualised care: Every client receives a personalised therapy plan based on their unique needs and goals.
Neuroaffirming Practice: We provide compassionate and affirming services to support and empower neurodiverse individuals.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach: We offer a wide range of allied health services under one roof, allowing for a holistic approach to your health.
NDIS Registered: We are proudly registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Home Care Package (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP): We accept a variety of funding options, helping our clients access the support they need.
LGBTQIA+ friendly: We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities, Our Findon clinic is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ people and families.
FAQs About Fine Motor Development
If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com
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Common signs include difficulty holding a pencil or crayon, trouble using scissors, avoiding tasks like tying shoelaces or buttoning clothes, and delays in milestones such as drawing shapes or stacking blocks.
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Fine motor skills develop progressively from infancy through early childhood. By the age of three to four, children should begin mastering tasks like using utensils, drawing simple shapes, and manipulating small objects.
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Engage in activities such as threading beads, playing with building blocks, cutting with child-safe scissors, and encouraging drawing or colouring. Simple household tasks like stirring batter or sorting small items can also help.
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Adaptive tools like pencil grips, modified scissors, therapy putty, and tactile toys can support fine motor development. Occupational therapists can recommend specific tools based on your child’s needs.
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No! We can start working with new clients right away.
Once we have received a referral form with all of your details, we are able to book an Initial Assessment as soon as possible, depending on your availability.
You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.
If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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If you are funded through Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) or Chronic Disease Management (CDM) we need the appropriate referral documentation from your GP.
For all other funding sources you can refer yourself or your child directly via our online referral form, or reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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Referring is easy! You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.
If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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Yes! As a registered NDIS provider, Thrive Health Therapies meets rigorous NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are passionately committed to upholding the NDIS Practice Standards, providing high-quality and safe supports and services for NDIS participants.
As a NDIS registered provider, we are also able to offer services to participants whose funds are managed by the NDIA.
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As a registered NDIS provider, interpreter services are available free of charge for NDIS participants. Please inform us if you require this service, and we will arrange this for you.
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We accept referrals from a wide range of funding sources, including the NDIS, home care packages, Department of Veterans Affairs, Chronic Disease Management (previously known as EPC) and private clients. Learn more about our accepted funding sources.
As a NDIS registered provider we are also able to accept participants who have chosen to have their funds managed by NDIA.
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Prices vary between services. Our therapists work with you to ensure you get the best program of services within your budget allocation.
Please contact us for a personalised quote.
Your Trusted NDIS Registered Provider in Adelaide
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for individuals with permanent and significant disabilities. As a registered NDIS provider in Adelaide, Thrive Health Therapies meets rigorous NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are passionately committed to upholding the NDIS Practice Standards, providing high-quality and safe supports and services for NDIS participants. As a NDIS registered provider, we offer services to participants whose funds are managed by the NDIA.
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Referral Form
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