Condition : Difficulties with fine and gross motor skills
What are difficulties with fine and gross motor skills?
Fine motor skills are the movements you make with the small muscles in your hands, fingers, and wrists. They are important for doing things like writing, using scissors, dressing, brushing your teeth and hair, and feeding yourself.
Gross motor skills are big movements. We start with rolling over as babies before going on to running, jumping, hopping, kicking, throwing, catching, and using stairs.
To perform motor skills, you need:
- good muscle tone – muscles that are ready to work.
- knowing where your body is without looking (proprioception).
- joints that move well
- the ability to plan movements (motor planning)
- balance and posture – keeping steady
Children (and some adults) who struggle with motor skills may avoid activities they find challenging.
They may hide this by:
- saying they don't like the activity
- ignoring instructions and doing something easier
- asking others to do things for them
- waiting for help instead of trying
- choose activities that don’t need movement, like watching TV
What causes difficulties with fine and gross motor skills?
Young children
Poor motor skills may be due to a lack of practice. Occupational therapists can help by suggesting activities and exercises.
If a child continues to struggle with motor skills, they may have a congenital problem (a condition that starts from birth), such as:
Older children and adults
Problems may be caused by illness, injury, or ageing.
This can include:
- thinning or wasting muscle mass (muscle atrophy) – causes include having a limb in a cast, nerve damage, poor blood circulation, or malnutrition
- joint problems, such as arthritis or hypermobility
- poor eyesight or other sensory issues
- a tremor (this can be a natural part of getting older or it may be caused by a neurological condition, medication, stress, fatigue, or lifestyle factors like drinking too much alcohol)
- brain injury or stroke
Next steps
Browse our advice and resources to learn more about your condition and ways to manage it.
If you need further support or have concerns, a Healthcare Professional is here to help. Reach out for professional medical advice tailored to you.
Discover services and support options available to help you with your health and wellbeing.
How to improve motor skills
Our advice has been written to help children, but may be useful for adults too.
Related services
Occupational Therapy Service for children and young people
- Children & young people
Help for children and young people up to the age of 19 who have difficulties doing everyday activities, such as dressing and feeding.
Occupational Therapy Service for children and young people: Go to servicePhysiotherapy Service for children and young people
- Children & young people
Help for children and young people up to the age of 19 who have difficulties with gross motor skills, including posture and mobility.
Physiotherapy Service for children and young people: Go to serviceExternal support
Activity Alliance
Activity Alliance works to make sport and physical activity more inclusive for disabled people, offering guidance, resources, and campaigns to break down barriers and promote active lifestyles.
Attention Autism
A fun, structured programme that uses exciting, visually engaging activities to help autistic children and young people improve focus, social interaction, and communication.
Cerebral Palsy
An information hub offering impartial advice, guides, tips, and community resources to support people with cerebral palsy and their families.
Contact
Contact is a UK charity that supports families raising disabled children by offering expert advice, emotional support, community events, and practical resources through a free helpline and online guidance.
Muscular Dystrophy UK
A leading charity supporting individuals and families affected by muscle-wasting conditions, offering expert information, practical advice, research funding, and community support.
Zones of Regulation
Zones of Regulation is a framework designed to help children and adults build emotional regulation and social skills through practical tools, lessons, and resources.