Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (Part of the ‘Topics in Down Syndrome’ series)
Written by an occupational therapist who has worked extensively with children with Down syndrome and is mother to a teenager with Down syndrome, this book explains the best practices and procedures for helping children master daily living skills for home, school, and an independent future. The author presents a thorough overview of the building blocks of fine motor development and how the characteristics of Down syndrome can impact the acquisition and progression of fine motor skills. She also explains the building blocks of fine motor development:
- Bilateral coordination
- Early arm and hand control
And important daily living skills for home and school:
- Dressing & grooming
- Eating & drinking
- Grasping a pencil
- Pre-printing skills
- Cursive handwriting
There are instructions for dozens of easy home-based and school-based activities, which help children gradually overcome delays and learn the fine motor skills mentioned above. The author suggests ways for parents to incorporate these exercises into as many day-to-day activities as possible, recognising how impractical it is to constantly be in “therapy” mode with a child.
New material includes a chapter on problems with sensory processing for those who are over-responsive or under-responsive to touch, or have unexpected reactions to sound, pain, or other sensations. Being aware of these sensitivities can open pathways to better behaviour and responsiveness to therapy. Also new is information about a critical developmental step – determining when a child is ready for pre-printing activities. These and many other additions make this the most up-to-date, comprehensive resource on fine motor development for children with Down syndrome.
Author: Maryanne Bruni, BScOT (Reg)