Introduction

The tests that will be presented here are designed to assess gross and fine motor skills. These easy-to-use tests with minimal equipment will help you map child’s motor skills and compare them with age-appropriate levels. Before completing the tests, we need to make sure that the examined child understands the tasks and has had chance to try them.  

It is important to mention that the following data should be recorded before the tests are carried out (history) – main points are highlighted, details are in the e-textbook: 

General intake data: 

Date of birth, date of examination, gender, reason for referral, parent/caregiver concerns, general health, list of other service providers 

Medical history: 

Birth history (prematurity, birth weight), onset of symptoms that relate to motor concerns, medications, other medical conditions including vision or hearing concerns, coexisting conditions such as ADHD, etc., events such as accidents or surgical procedures, medical interventions 

Developmental history 

Developmental milestones in gross/fine motor, language, and social/adaptive skills, other areas of intellectual or developmental concern, behavioural or emotional differences 

Family history: 

Medical or developmental conditions that exist in the family, such as clumsiness, DCD, ADD/ADHD, specific learning disabilities, and ID 

Educational history: 

Interventions received in early intervention or developmental preschool program, reports of difficulties with physical activities or special education services in school, intellectual testing and determinants 

Participation history: 

Home ADL and chores, activities with family and friends, physical activity preferences that are motivating at home, school, and community, fitness level 

Additional history may include, with parent/caregiver consent: 

Reports secured from other professionals such as OTs, speech therapists, psychologists, physicians, teachers, or other significant adults 

Musculoskeletal screen: 

Height and weight 

Neuromuscular screen: 

Fall history, toe walking 

Cognitive/behavioural screen: 

Ability to follow instructions and communicate needs 

Behavioural regulation and attention 

Ability to interact with adults and peers 

Vision screen: 

History of acute changes in visual function 

History of treated or untreated visual impairments or diagnoses 

Now have a look at the videos and familiarise yourself with these tests!