Greetings all. I am not yet an OT - I will be starting in a comprehensive Master's program at Utica College in Utica, NY this fall. My daughter is 3 1/2 months old and was diagnosed with transitional delay at birth, as well as acid reflux (she spent 2 1/2 weeks in a local NICU). A public health nurse has visited us to track her development (per my request) and just today the nurse went through a 4 month questionnaire to track her development. Her fine motor skills scored lower than the rest of her scores...she scored average (40 out of 60...the cutoff for therapy is 27). I'm not at all trying to be a pushy mom, but I am aware that her fine motor skill development may be slower due to her slow start after birth.

Can anyone recommend any toys or play that will help her stay on track? I don't want to push her beyond where she should be, but I do notice - and the public health nurse agreed - that she has little things here and there that seem to be about par or maybe JUST under par for her age. I just want to make sure that I'm not hurting her development and if there's anything I can do to help her develop at the right pace, I want to do so.

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

Molly,

Congrats on your baby and the start of school this fall!

Of course I can't begin to tell you what to do with your daughter because I don't have enough info, but I can give you some suggestions that are age appropriate. Allow her to spend play time with you in positions that are conducive to her ongoing development. If she is lying on her back, a boppy (supervise her at this time) would be helpful to allow some flexion, the ability to bring hands together, see her feet, and help get hands to mouth. Toys that will attract her to look  such as the toy you can lay the baby under and items hang down and they try to grab.  You can also do this while holding her. On her tummy you may want to support her to prop on her elbows when she is ready. 

Again, you can't go wrong with little rattles, or rattles that velcro around wrist or ankle. Development goes from the center of the body out, and head to away from the head, so the positions I mentioned will help that development. Often times the age appropriateness is marked on the toy. Just help her to play with it if she is not able to do that herself, and enjoy yourself!!

Keep us posted! 

 Lorraine