Developing into Teenage Years (10 to 15 years)

As children begin to enter and develop through teenage years, their independence increases and subsequently they may find it more difficult to complete everyday occupations. A child of this age should be able to:

Visual:

• Vision should not impair function in any way

Fine Motor:

• Able to manipulate small and large objects using both hands
• Writing is improving, comfortably able to write paragraphs of writing

Gross Motor:

• Begins to develop the complex muscle abilities needed for sport
• Takes an interest in active outdoor activities and often finds hobbies

Teenager (15 years old plus)

Visual:

• High visual acuity
• Be able to distinguish colours, shapes and sizes from various distances

Fine Motor:

• Manipulate small objects comfortably
• Tie shoe laces and undo small buttons needed for dressing
• Writing is legible and can write for long periods of time

Gross Motor:

• Can actively partake in sports
• Good balance and co-ordination in relation to a variety of tasks
• Usually has found and enjoys certain sporting hobbies

How an occupational therapist can help a child with delayed milestones

Our occupational therapists have the skills and knowledge to help further the development of children who may be finding adapting to the world around them more difficult than others. We can offer a range of treatment and services to improve the development of your child.

If you feel that your child is not reaching these fundamental milestones, there may be an underlying cause behind this slow development and we recommend that you contact our team for an assessment. An occupational therapist will be able to provide the assessment at home, or in any one of our clinics, for further information please email office@otforkids.co.uk or call us on 0330 223 0888