Fine Motor & Functional Development Screening Chart

ARURA INTEGRAL THERAPY SERVICES – CHENNAI & NAGAPATTINAM

📞 Chennai: 8248999216 | Nagapattinam: 7200766120

Fine Motor & Functional Development Screening Chart

How to Use This Chart

• Review skills expected for the child’s age group
• Identify missed or immature skills BELOW age level
• Observe quality 
• If delays are noted → Early intervention is recommended

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES

Age Group	Core Fine Motor & Functional Skills	Advanced/Functional Indicators	Clinical Red Flags (If Not Achieved)	Therapy Focus Recommendation
0 – 6 Months	Reflexive grasp → voluntary grasp, brings hands to midline, reaches for objects	Visual tracking + hand coordination, early bilateral use	Poor muscle tone, limited reach, no hand opening	Sensory stimulation, prone play, hand activation
6 – 12 Months	Transfers objects, pincer grasp, controlled release	Explores objects (bang, shake, mouth), purposeful dropping	Weak grasp, avoids touch, poor object exploration	Sensory integration, grasp strengthening
1 – 2 Years	Scribbles, stacks blocks, self-feeding, turns pages	Early tool use (spoon), bilateral coordination emerging	Poor hand strength, feeding delay, limited play	Functional play training, hand strengthening
2 – 3 Years	Snips paper, imitates strokes, uses one hand, playdough manipulation	Begins pre-writing readiness, improved wrist control	Frustration with small objects, avoids drawing	Pre-writing program, bilateral coordination
3 – 4 Years	Copies circle, cuts paper, uses helper hand	Begins structured drawing, improved control	Poor pencil grasp, avoids table tasks	Pencil grip training, structured fine motor tasks
4 – 5 Years	Writes name, copies shapes, dresses independently	Hand dominance established, early academic readiness	Cannot hold pencil properly, delayed writing	School readiness program, ADL training
5 – 6 Years	Colours within lines, copies triangle, proper tripod grasp	Functional writing begins, task endurance improves	Poor handwriting, fatigue, avoids writing	Handwriting program, endurance training
6 – 7 Years	Writes on lines, controlled writing, ties shoelaces	Academic output improves, independence increases	Slow writing, poor legibility, low confidence	Speed + accuracy training, motor planning
7 – 8 Years	Maintains handwriting, completes written tasks	Functional academic independence	Avoids writing, fatigue, incomplete work	Advanced handwriting, executive function training

WHEN TO REFER FOR THERAPY

Immediate referral recommended if:

• Skills are 2 levels below age
• Child shows avoidance or frustration
• Poor functional independence
• Difficulty in school readiness skills
• Parent concern present

CLINICAL NOTE (IMPORTANT)

This chart is:
✔ A screening tool only
✔ Not a diagnostic assessment
✔ Should be combined with clinical evaluation

ABOUT ARURA INTEGRAL THERAPY SERVICES

We provide:
✔ Occupational Therapy
✔ Speech Therapy
✔ Sensory Integration Therapy
✔ Behavioural Intervention
✔ School Readiness Programs

📍 Chennai & Nagapattinam Centers
📞 8248999216 | 7200766120