Ideas for building upper body and hand strength

[Anonymous]

DS has hypotonia, sensory-motor dyspraxia and weak visual-motor coordination. Hand and upper body strength are a real issue for him and he is also just a bit clumsy with ordinary tasks. Of course he persists when working with things like Legos, but not so much with other things. He goes to weekly OT and I have asked the therapist for ideas on what he can do at home, but I would like to hear suggestions from parents.

Of you have a child like this, what things do you do at home to build strength, improve VM coordination, etc.? I would love to hear what has helped your kids in real life, outside of the OT setting. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Make it fun whatever you try to do.

Gross Motor: wheel barrow--hold his legs, have him walk on his hands, swimming, playing on playground

Fine Motor: hide small items like pennies or beads in OT putty (you can buy online)

This website has some good ideas: http://therapystreetforkids.com/

[Anonymous]

My son is similar and just starting on this road. What did your OT say? Mine recommended swimming and yoga.

Do you have a diagnosis? These are symptoms. We do not have a diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make it fun whatever you try to do.

Gross Motor: wheel barrow--hold his legs, have him walk on his hands, swimming, playing on playground

Fine Motor: hide small items like pennies or beads in OT putty (you can buy online)

This website has some good ideas: http://therapystreetforkids.com/

Wow - the wheel barrel sounds like a great idea! DD has the same problem. (Im not the OP)

My DD (2 1/2) likes to broom the floor, and I think that's great exercise.

Please keep the ideas coming DCUMers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is similar and just starting on this road. What did your OT say? Mine recommended swimming and yoga.

Do you have a diagnosis? These are symptoms. We do not have a diagnosis.

OPS here. The "diagnosis" is just hypotonia and sensory-motor dyspraxia, along with dysgraphia and some ICD 9 code about unspecified congenital abnormality of the brain. That's not it exactly, but you get the picture. What causes these things? I have no clue.

I will ask about yoga. The OT recommended marital arts, which DS already does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make it fun whatever you try to do.

Gross Motor: wheel barrow--hold his legs, have him walk on his hands, swimming, playing on playground

Fine Motor: hide small items like pennies or beads in OT putty (you can buy online)

This website has some good ideas: http://therapystreetforkids.com/

Thanks, this is helpful. I'd like some of the time we spend playing together to be purposeful while also being fun, so your ideas are helpful. In the pool I throw rings that he catches on his arm, and at home we play ball-catching games. I will definitely check out the website you mentioned and I will get some OT putty. We also have little stretchy bands you put on your fingers, but that's not so fun. He sits on a balance ball whenever he uses the computer.

[Anonymous]

Where are you? Dynamite Gym in Rockville has great programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you? Dynamite Gym in Rockville has great programs.

+1000
My DD has low tone in lower body, walked at 20 months, I saw a remarkable difference after the classes at DG. Do not go by the looks of the place......

[Anonymous]

My child sounds like your child. I have him in swimming lessons (constantly for 2 years now), karate (with a kind and gentle instructor). He is going to take after school soccer of his own accord. He gets OT in and out of school, speech, in and out of school. I have him bike to and from school depending on weather and schedule.

He is almost 7. When he was younger, I had him in a MyGym program, but traded to karate when he got to be 5.5 years old.

He practices tying his shoes every morning (homework in OT). He is just tying one shoe that is not on him, but that is pretty good OT. He is also practicing buttoning a shirt.

[Anonymous]

I agree about yoga. We were doing PT and not seeing results. Now my kid takes semi-private yoga and is doing great!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I really appreciate them. What causes hypotonia?

[Anonymous]

Like poster 11:48, my child has gone to gymnastics at Dynamite Gym in Rockville (Motion Education) with Dov and Zack over the past few years. First of all, they are amazing with kids! My child has made major improvements in strength and stamina. There are also PT and OT services available.

[Anonymous]

There are numerous possible causes to hypotonia. Genetic disorders. Brain development. Google dr. Cohn who was at Hopkins but is now at Sick Children in Toronto.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are numerous possible causes to hypotonia. Genetic disorders. Brain development. Google dr. Cohn who was at Hopkins but is now at Sick Children in Toronto.

Thanks, PP. DC's hypotonia is mild and seems to be in arms, shoulders, neck. Should we be seeking a diagnosis for some underlying disorder?

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP. Ours is also mild and is upper body, core strength, and bilateral coordination.

I've learned a lot from the HyptoniaHOPE group on YahooGroups.

Does your child have other issues, clumsy? Lack of focus? Impulsive?

Because ours has other issues I'm pursuing a neurology consult next. Geneticists also recommended by that group...but sometimes a cause is not found so you just treat the symptoms.