Condition Difficulties with fine and gross motor skills

Condition Difficulties with fine and gross motor skills

What are difficulties with fine and gross motor skills?

Our fine motor skills are how we move our small muscles and are needed to complete a number of activities, such as writing, cutting with scissors, dressing, brushing our teeth and hair, and feeding ourselves.

Gross motor skills are big movements. We start with rolling over as babies before moving on to bigger movements like running, jumping, hopping, kicking, throwing, catching, and using stairs.

To perform motor skills, you need:

Children (and some adults) who struggle with motor skills may avoid certain activities they find challenging due to their lack of skills. They may mask this by:

  • showing no interest in those activities, or dismissing them as pointless
  • ignoring instructions and instead busying themselves with something they find easier
  • being bossy and asking others to do things for them
  • waiting for someone to help them rather than trying themselves
  • showing more interest in activities that don’t require motor skills, such as watching TV

What causes difficulties with fine and gross motor skills?

In 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 despite receiving extra support, they may have a congenital problem (a condition that starts from birth), such as:

In older children and adults, problems may be caused by illness, injury, or ageing, such as:

  • muscle wastage (atrophy) – example reasons for this include having a limb in a cast due to a broken bone, nerve damage, poor blood circulation, and malnutrition
  • joint problems, such as arthritis or hypermobility
  • poor eyesight or other sensory issues
  • a tremor – this can be a natural part of ageing, but it may also be caused by a neurological condition, medication, stress, fatigue, or lifestyle factors like drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, or withdrawing from nicotine
  • brain injury or stroke

Next steps

Step 1. Check out our advice

Browse our advice and resources to learn more about your condition and ways to manage it.
Step 2. Contact a Healthcare Professional

If you need further support or have concerns, a Healthcare Professional is here to help. Reach out for professional medical advice tailored to you.
Step 3. View our services

Discover services and support options available to help you with your health and wellbeing.

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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.

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Community Paediatric Service (East Berkshire)

  • Children & young people

Specialist care for children and young people with a complex developmental condition, and statutory medical assessments.

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Physiotherapy 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.

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External 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.

Scope UK

Advice and support for people living with a disability 

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.