What does a Fine Motor Assessment involve?

In a Fine Motor Assessment, your Occupational Therapist will assess the following:

• Fine motor skills (hand strength, coordination, in-hand manipulation and dexterity)
• Scissor skills
• Visuo-motor integration
• Printing Skills
• Pencil grasp

The fine motor assessment will take between 30 to 40 minutes. Following the fine motor assessment, the OT will provide the parent with recommendations for treatment and/or activities to promote your child's fine motor and printing skills. Standardized assessments will be scored by the Therapist after the assessment and the results will be provided to the parent in a written summary report within two weeks of the assessment.

If you are interested in having other skills assessed by the Occupational Therapist, such as gross motor skills, visual perceptual, and/or sensory concerns, please discuss this with the OT prior to the assessment. Related fees may apply.

How many sessions will my child need before I see improvement?

Each of our printing programs is designed to take approximately 8 sessions to complete on average. The number of sessions may vary according to your child's needs and ability to attend to one to one tasks. Parents can stop the program at any time if they are not satisfied with their child's progress. However, generally speaking by the 8th session your child should demonstrate noticeable improvement in their fine motor and/or printing skills.

What type of intervention would work best for my child, group or private sessions?

The type of intervention that a child may benefit from varies from one child to the next. Here are some benefits and disadvantage to both:

Benefits to Group:

• Social interaction with peers at the same skill level may boost your child's self-esteem
• Groups are more economic than private therapy
• Students are frequently more motivated to participate in activities with their peers

Disadvantages:

• The printing program lesson plan is established. Although individual goals may be addressed throughout the eight sessions, the student will be expected to participate in all activities.

• The lesson plan can be individualized to each student and skill level. Therefore, if your child is able to progress at a faster pace than the established program, then the program will be modified accordingly. If your child requires extra time or assistance to consolidate a skill, the lessons can be provided at a slower pace.
• Each treatment session is specifically designed to meet all of the Occupational Therapy goals established in consultation with the parent and student.

Will my child be bored if he/she has to print for 45 minutes at every session?

The student will not be expected to print for the entire session. He/she will learn how to print using various mediums such as chalkboards, Play Doh, and games, after which they will practice what they have learned with paper and pencil. They will also work on their various fine motor skills by playing fun games, exercises and fun crafts. Our Occupational Therapists will keep the session positive and fun by catering to each child's unique interests in order to encourage their participation throughout the session and facilitate the learning process.

What about semi-private?

Semi-private sessions may be available for two students at similar levels or who have similar printing skills/difficulties. Please inquire with us directly.

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