Comparison of In-Hand Manipulation Skills in Children with and without Fine Motor Delays

In-hand manipulation was investigated in a sample of 15 children with fine motor developmental delays and a comparison sample of typical children. The children were 4 to 6 years old, the age range in which in-hand manipulation skills are refined (Exner, 1990). Time scores were computed for two tasks that required in-hand manipulation using small pegs: complex rotation and translation with stabilization. The number of times pegs were dropped or stabilized on external surfaces was computed, and continuous rotation of the peg among the fingertips was scored by counting the number of rotations prior to dropping. The children with developmental delays were significantly slower than the typical children in time required to complete the first two tasks and in number of drops and times they stabilized the pegs. The results of this pilot study indicate that children with fine motor delays appear to be slower and less efficient performing in-hand manipulation skills. Children with less efficient in-hand manipulation skills may require assistance performing daily living skills, and occupational therapy focused on the development of in-hand manipulation skills may increase their daily living skill independence.