I am based in the UK. My son is four years old called Aaron (almost five) and is starting school in September. He was assessed by an OT as having problems with his fine and gross motor skills (in the bottom 1% for his age group). He has been given exercises to do for his fine motor skills (pencil exercises like drawing through lines) and gross motor skills (exercises like standing on one leg). In the UK, you get very little OT support and they rely on unqualified parents and their nursery/school to deliver the program. It has been quite stressful for me as a mother as I feel all the pressure on myself to make him better.

My husband found a private OT clinic in London using US sensory integration techniques. They feel he has SPD as he has problems with his motor skills and poor muscle tone. What concerned me is how they propose to treat SPD by focusing on the "foundations" through one on one using soft play apparatus etc. I wonder whether this helps or is actually has no scientific basis? Could you let me know what you think?

The school has said to me that many children have problems with pencil grips and motor skills such as getting dressed but they all get there and seem to imply that the OT assessment and treatment's are overengineered. Do you think this is valid.

Thanks for your help.

Sarah