Getting EI help for small motor skills?

My dd is 2.5 and something is off with her small motor skills I believe. She cannot/will not use utensils. We tryto help her every meal use a spoon/fork but she cannot manipulate it. She barely scribbles because she has hard time with crayons. She is getting really frustrated with herself. How do I go about getting her tested for help. Do I notify my ped? Call the people who will do the testing. We are in Suffolk county. TIA

Message edited 1/22/2013 1:39:39 PM.

Re: Getting EI help for small motor skills?

Call up EI (Early Intervention) The number is 631-853-3100. tell them you want your DC evaluated.

Re: Getting EI help for small motor skills?

My friend's son is a little over 2 and has the same issues. He didn't qualify for EI but was very close to the cutoff. They gave her a couple of exercises to try with him... They told her to buy velcro toys and puzzles to strengthen his muscles, as well as getting him a standing easel. The exercise of holding the crayons and drawing against gravity will strengthen muscles too.

Re: Getting EI help for small motor skills?

Getting EI help for small motor skills?

Like the above poster said, call EI and ask for an evaluation, it can't hurt. It would most likely be an occupational therapy area. EI only goes until 3 though so since she is 2.5 they may refer her for school based eval system instead, but they will let you know that.

Getting EI help for small motor skills?

You would call Suffolk County 631-853-3100 and tell them that you believe your daughter is demonstrating delays in her gross motor skills. They will ask you to pick an EI Agency to evaluate. Since she is already 2 you will want to do this ASAP. Once she is 3, she will need to be evaluated through CPSE which is a different process. If she is eligible for EI your Ongoing Service Coordinator will automatically help you begin the transition to the CPSE program (if eligible). I am an OSC for EI so feel free to FM me with any questions.

Re: Getting EI help for small motor skills?

As an OT I would recommend waiting until 3 to have her tested by the CPSE instead of EI at this point because once kids turn 3 a lot more is expected of them on the tests. In the mean time I would get the thick triangle crayons from crayola and break each crayon into 3 pieces. Let her color with those, try and motivate her with printable colorinig pages from the internet of her favorite characters. Magnadoodles are great to motivate kids too! I have a travel one straped to my DD's (also 2 1/2) carseat with one of those sippy cup straps. Also encourage her to play with manipulative toys such as velcro fruits/veggies (i ordered ours from amazon I think the brand was small wonder), mr. Potato head, pop beads, large lacing beads, puzzles (Barnes & Noble has a great progressive interlocking jigsaw puzzle set by crocodile creek my DD loves with a princess theme---3 puzzles, a 6, 9, & 12 piece), playdoh (plastic playdoh scissors are great to begin early scissor skills with)..... I could go on and on with suggestions, but I don't want to overwhelm you. If you need any further info feel free to FM me! also utensil use is a tough skill and is often frustrating to a hungry kid. Keep providing her with oportunities to use utensils and work on her over all hand skills. It will improve.