My son has been diagnosed mildly ADD. He has a problem with written expression. (He can do work orally MUCH better than having to compile his thoughts on paper.) His biggest difficulty seems to be with motor skills. His handwriting is atrocious. I am teaching him to type. But the psychologist said he needs OT to help with his motor skills. Because we homeschool for religious reasons, I am not willing to turn to the public school for assistance with this. I am attempting to work with him myself. Does anyone know anything about what kind of things I can do with him to help with this? Any suggestions are welcome. You may even email me personally at scarley@home if you wish!
Thanks,
Shirley
Re: fine motor skills and OT
You can go to a private occupational therapist. Typically they will do an eval first, to determine if there really are motor problems (dysgraphia can exist as a separate entity, with no small motor problems). If there are problems, the OT can show you specific exercises to be done at home.
Every child is different, and the evaluation is important to determine specific strengths and weaknesses. For example, my dd had weak hand muscles. However, another child with problems writing could have poor visual-motor coordination. In that case, the child might need vision therapy as well as motor therapy. You could waste a lot of time doing exercises that won’t help, unless you have professional advice.
Was it the school district’s psychologist? If so, there would be no reason not to also use the school district’s OT for the evaluation. If it was a private psychologist, then a private OT may be what you want. Just make sure ahead of time that the private OT is willing to design a primarily home-based therapy program for you, if therapy is indicated.
Mary
Reconsider and get yourself a good OTR who can provide therapy and give you activities to follow up with at home, if you can read the internet for info can’t you get your child the treatment needed, how about a hospital or clinic setting or an OT who can come to your home