Gross motor play deficits refer to difficulties or challenges that individuals, typically children, may experience when engaging in activities that involve large muscle groups and coordination of the arms, legs, and trunk. Gross motor skills are essential for physical development, movement, and participation in physical activities. Gross motor play deficits can manifest in various ways and may be linked to developmental delays, neurological conditions, or other factors.
Components!
What to look for?
Difficulty with Balance: Children with gross motor deficits may struggle with maintaining balance while walking, running, or standing on one leg.
Poor Coordination: Children may have difficulty coordinating their movements, making tasks such as catching or throwing a ball, skipping, or hopping challenging.
Lack of Strength: Weakness in the core muscles and limbs can lead to difficulties in activities that require strength, such as climbing, swinging, or crawling.
Limited Participation in Sports and Games: Children with gross motor play deficits may avoid or struggle to participate in sports and physical activities, which can affect their social development and overall physical fitness.
Sensory Processing Issues: Sensory processing disorders can affect a child's ability to engage in gross motor play. For instance, a child may be hypersensitive to sensory input, leading to avoidance of certain activities, or hyposensitive, which might result in a lack of interest in physical play.