By Hillary Barber, School Psychologist

Deficits in motor skills can appear in the way a student behaves in the classroom.

Fine Motor Skills

Fine Motor Skills are small movements – such as picking up small objects and holding a spoon – that use the small muscles of the fingers, toes, wrists, lips, and tongue.

Gross Motor Skills

Gross Motor Skills are the bigger movements – such as rolling over and sitting – that use the large muscles in the arms, legs, torso, and feet.

Motor Skill Deficits

Motor Skill deficiencies interfere with the ability to use and coordinate large and small body muscles in order to move and manipulate objects. These may or may not require related services from an occupational therapist or physical therapist. The determination for related services is dependent upon the impact of the skill deficit and the need for the related service in addition to specialized instruction already in place.

Common Academic Impact: Written Expression

Observable Behaviors with a Deficit in Motor Skills

• Work often looks sloppy as if completed quickly and without much effort
• Inability to write clearly interferes with accuracy so written work may not reflect understanding
• Difficulties writing in small spaces
• Easily fatigued when completing written assignments