Motor disorders in children: what to do?

Motor Disorders – What is it?

Motor disorders in children are a serious problem. Because they can affect not only their physical, but also their psychological and social development. Motor skills , that is our ability to move, has an influence on most human activities. Every simple movement is based on complex processes in the brain that control a precisely coordinated interaction of certain muscles. If there is an impairment in this process in children, one speaks of motor disorders.

Both gross motor skills and fine motor skills can be affected by motor disorders. Gross motor skills are everything that has to do with larger movement sequences, such as walking, hopping, running, etc., while fine motor skills are the small, filigree activities in which precise application of strength is important, such as gripping, painting or writing.

Motor disorders and possible consequential problems

Motor disorders can have far-reaching consequences, because a child who does not develop motor skills appropriate to their age is easily the victim of ridicule and teasing from other children because they appear clumsy. This can potentially affect their self-confidence and, with it, their self-esteem. This can result in further mental stress, which can be noticeable, for example, through particularly aggressive behavior or learning disorders.

Because of their poor motor skills, children with motor disorders tend to avoid challenges or complex movement tasks. Because they are afraid of failing anyway or embarrassing themselves. Due to this lack of exercise, however, the motor disorders usually become even worse. In order to help them out of this vicious circle, support and targeted promotion are necessary.

Signs of motor disorders

You can tell whether your child is showing motor disorders by the fact that their movement behavior does not develop according to their age, but rather more slowly than in other children. It learns certain movement patterns, such as crawling, walking or speaking, relatively late. These can be signs by which you can recognize motor disorders in your child:

• Your child’s movement behavior is not developed according to its age .
• Your child often seems awkward and clumsy .
• It has great difficulty getting dressed .
• Your child often drops objects unintentionally or often bumps into themselves.
• It has trouble with complex movements (hopping, balancing, throwing, catching, etc.).
• They have poorly legible, awkward handwriting or have trouble painting and drawing.
• It has difficulty speaking . Your child, for example, cannot form some sounds correctly at primary school age.

Causes of motor disorders

A number of factors can be considered as the cause of motor disorders. The musculoskeletal system depends both on the physical requirements of a child, as well as on processes in the brain and the conditions of your child’s environment. Even psychological factors play an important role in learning movement sequences. In all of these areas, the causes of motor disorders in your child can lie. Possible triggers for motor disorders can be, for example:

• Damage or dysfunction in the brain
• muscle or joint diseases
• respiratory and circulatory problems
• Disturbances in perception ( visual or hearing damage )
• Restricted mental development
• Maturation delays in the central nervous system
• Certain diseases (seizures, inflammation)
• Neglect or little stimulation to exercise
• abuse
• malnutrition
• Cramped living conditions, little opportunity for exercise
• Lack of learning experiences with movement
• Damage before or during birth

There are also children in whom none of these causes are responsible for motor disorders. Then it may be that there are congenital developmental disorders of motor function. It is estimated that about five percent of children in Germany are affected – boys twice as often as girls.

Motor disorders: therapy

It is very important for successful therapy that motor disorders are recognized early. So if you suspect that your child’s motor skills are not developing according to their age, then you should definitely talk to your pediatrician. To find out if your child is showing motor disorders, he can carry out a number of tests. Clinical psychologists also look at the overall development and behavior of your child. His fine and gross motor skills will be tested to see if he is performing well below what he would expect for his age. Your child will also be examined physically and neurologically to find possible causes of the motor disorders. An intelligence test can also help.

If your child has been diagnosed with motor disorders, these can usually be treated very well with an individually tailored, holistic therapy. This therapy takes care of the motor deficits and the psychological problems that may result from your child. You too will be included. The aim of therapy for motor disorders is not only to improve your child’s body control and perception, but also to gradually rebuild their self-esteem and self-confidence. The following can help your child when they exhibit motor disorders:

• Movement therapy : This consists, for example, of movement and concentration games, relaxation, rhythmic-musical games, sports motor exercises such as climbing, trampolining, etc.
• Occupational therapy : Here, your child’s fine motor skills are trained by specially trained therapists.
• Physiotherapy : Your child’s ability to move will be trained.
• Speech therapy : This form of therapy can be used if your child has trouble speaking.
• Lots of exercise : However, you should make sure that your child does sports without pressure to perform, such as swimming, children’s gymnastics or judo.

Motor disorders: what can you do for your child?

You also play an important role if your child’s motor disorders are to be treated. You can do this:

• Take your child seriously and support them as best you can.
• Be generous with praise and acknowledge small victories.
• You should offer your child a wide range of exercise options – outside and inside.
• Let your child gain new experiences . Give him the opportunity to try things out for himself in peace. It’s also okay to bang your knee.
• Give your child time and be patient with them.
• You should make sure that you do not overwhelm your child and that you do not set too high demands that your child cannot meet.

If motor disorders are identified and treated early, there is a good chance that your child’s problems will slowly disappear as he gets older. Most of the deficits caused by the motor disorders can be compensated for by the time it is an adult.