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The Dilemma explained

Normally developing children have the motor skills they need to play, do homework, or interact with others. They can be attentive to and enjoy new activities or games. These children usually experience success when attempting and practicing new activities, and often challenge themselves to do more complex tasks. When this child learns to throw a ball up in the air and catch it, he wants to advance to the challenge of throwing it higher and higher. However, this is not always the story for every child. Some children love to move, others seem to hate it. Children who have movement problems never choose to play on the jungle gym or the swings. They find it difficult to play well with other children because their bodies will not cooperate with their minds. They may become rigid and jerky in their movements; or, on the contrary, floppy and unstable. They may be described as “clumsy” or “awkward”.

Once an toddler develops certain basic motor skills and he can sit, stand, walk or run, the adults in his life take it for granted that he has the motor development necessary to function in his everyday activities, and that these skills will eventually carry him to success in the school setting. However, if you take a closer look at this child, you may notice that it takes him twice as long to copy words from the board or to complete a spelling activity. An even closer look would lead you to notice that he might slide out of his chair, or that he cannot balance in his seat. You may suspect that his inability to copy from the board or to complete an activity may stem from a learning or behavior problem. However, the problems this child is experiencing could have more to do with poor balance or a lack of muscle control than with a learning or behavior problem.

Perhaps you find that the above descriptions remind you of some aspects of your child’s development. You may have had your child undergo psychological, learning or behavioral assessments to determine the cause of his difficulties. You may have found this process frustrating; often the doctors say one thing, while teachers or other professionals say another. At some point you may have heard a professional say “he will grow out of it”. But you know that his problems are not lessening, and you may fear that they are now interfering with his ability to succeed socially or in an academic setting.