Gross and Fine Motor Skill Development in Occupational Therapy

What Are Gross and Fine Motor Skills?

• Gross Motor Skills: These involve large movements, such as walking, running, and jumping. They require coordination of the larger muscle groups like the arms, legs, and torso.
• Fine Motor Skills: These focus on smaller, precise movements, such as grasping, writing, or buttoning a shirt. They require coordination of smaller muscles, especially in the hands and fingers.

How Occupational Therapy Supports Motor Skill Development

1. Gross Motor Skill Development
   We use exercises and activities that improve balance, coordination, and strength. Our OTs design programs to help individuals gain better control over large muscle groups, which is crucial for mobility and independence.
2. Fine Motor Skill Development
   Through tasks like cutting, grasping objects, or handwriting exercises, we work on improving hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and finger strength. These skills are essential for daily tasks like dressing, feeding, and using technology.
3. Sensory Integration
   Sensory processing plays a key role in motor skills. Our OTs provide sensory integration therapy to help individuals who may have difficulty processing sensory information, improving their motor responses.

Common Conditions Addressed

• Children with Developmental Delays: Early intervention helps children improve their fine and gross motor skills, promoting independence in play, school, and self-care.
• Stroke or Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Regaining motor skills is essential after a stroke or brain injury. Our OTs develop targeted plans to restore function.
• Parkinson’s Disease: Motor skill exercises are designed to maintain and improve muscle control, balance, and coordination.
• Arthritis: Fine motor skill therapy helps individuals with arthritis manage tasks that require hand strength and dexterity.

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​Our Values in Practice
At Belong Health, we are guided by compassion, integrity, and empowerment. Our therapists work with children and adults to improve gross and fine motor skills through customised, patient-centred approaches. Whether you're in Mandurah, Rockingham, Perth Metro, or connecting with us via telehealth, we’re here to help you reach your therapy goals.

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NDIS Support for Motor Skill Development
We work with NDIS participants to create therapy plans that support gross and fine motor skill improvement.
​Our NDIS-registered OTs provide assessments, reports, and therapy to ensure you meet your functional goals, promoting independence in daily life.

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Telehealth Services for Motor Skill Development
For those unable to attend in person, we offer telehealth services across WA. Our OTs provide guided exercises and coaching to help improve motor skills from the comfort of your home.

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Gross and Fine Motor Skill Development in Occupational Therapy FAQs

1. What are gross and fine motor skills, and why are they important?
   Gross motor skills involve larger movements like walking, climbing stairs and balancing, while fine motor skills are precise movements like holding, doing buttons, using a pincer grasp to pick up small objects and writing. Both fine and gross motor skills are essential for daily independence and coordination.
2. How does Occupational Therapy improve motor skills?
   OTs use exercises, activities, and sensory integration techniques to improve strength, coordination, and dexterity in both large and small muscle groups.
3. Can motor skill development in OT help children with developmental delays?
   Yes, Occupational Therapy can support children by improving their coordination, balance, and hand-eye control, allowing them to participate more fully in school and play.
4. How does OT help adults regain motor skills after injury or illness?

OTs create personalised therapy plans for individuals recovering from strokes, brain injuries, or neurodegenerative conditions, helping restore functional movement and control.

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Have a question? or need more information

Our friendly team are happy to help call us on 08 9586 3634 or send us a message

Accessing our Perth services

Let's Work Together

​Referrals to Belong Health
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.

EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.

WA NDIS Registered Provider  

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Medicare
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from. 

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Private Health
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.

No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT

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NDIS Registered Provider
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list. 

13 Littleton st, Falcon

Phone: 08 9586 3934

EMAIL US

OFFICE HOURS:         MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8:30am - 4:30pm

BELONG HEALTH'S Paediatric Occupational Therapy SERVICES FOR Perth region

A: Alexander Heights, Alfred Cove, Applecross, Applecross North, Ardross, Armadale, Ascot, Ashby, Ashfield, Attadale, Atwell, Aubin Grove, Aveley
B: Balcatta, Balga, Ballajura, Banjup, Banksia Grove, Baskerville, Bassendean, Bateman, Bayswater, Beaconsfield, Beckenham, Bedford, Bedfordale, Beechboro, Beeliar, Beldon, Belhus, Bellevue, Belmont, Bennett Springs, Bentley, Bibra Lake, Bicton, Booragoon, Boya, Brabham, Brentwood, Brigadoon, Broadway Nedlands, Brookdale, Bull Creek, Burns Beach, Burswood, Bushmead, Butler
C: Canning Vale, Cannington, Carabooda, Carine, Carlisle, Carramar, Caversham, Champion Lakes, Churchlands, City Beach, Claremont, Clarkson, Cloverdale, Cockburn Central, Como, Connolly, Coogee, Coolbellup, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Craigie, Crawley, Currambine
D: Daglish, Dalkeith, Darch, Darlington, Dayton, Dianella, Dog Swamp, Doubleview, Duncraig
E: East Cannington, East Fremantle, East Perth, East Victoria Park, Eden Hill, Edgewater, Ellenbrook, Embleton
F: Ferndale, Floreat, Forrestdale, Forrestfield, Fremantle
G: Gidgegannup, Girrawheen, Glen Forrest, Glendalough, Glengarry, Gnangara, Gosnells, Greenmount, Greenwood, Guildford, Gwelup
H: Hamersley, Hamilton Hill, Hammond Park, Harrisdale, Haynes, Hazelmere, Heathridge, Helena Valley, Henderson, Henley Brook, Herdsman, Herne Hill, High Wycombe, Highgate, Hilbert, Hillarys, Hilton, Hocking, Hovea, Huntingdale
I: Iluka, Inglewood, Innaloo, Jandabup, Jandakot, Jane Brook, Jindalee, Jolimont, Joondalup, Joondanna
K: Kallaroo, Karawara, Kardinya, Karragullen, Karrakatta, Karrinyup, Kelmscott, Kensington, Kenwick, Kewdale, Kiara, Kings Park, Kingsley, Kingsway, Kinross, Koondoola, Koongamia
L: Landsdale, Langford, Lathlain, Leederville, Leeming, Lexia, Lockridge, Lynwood
M: Maddington, Madeley, Mahogany Creek, Maida Vale, Malaga, Manning, Marangaroo, Mariginiup, Marmion, Martin, Maylands, Melaleuca, Melville, Menora, Merriwa, Middle Swan, Midland, Midvale, Millendon, Mindarie, Mirrabooka, Morangup, Morley, Mosman Park, Mount Claremont, Mount Hawthorn, Mount Lawley, Mount Nasura, Mount Pleasant, Mount Richon, Mullaloo, Munster, Murdoch, Myaree
N: Nedlands, Neerabup, Nollamara, Noranda, North Beach, North Coogee, North Fremantle, North Lake, North Perth, Northbridge, Nowergup
O: O'connor, Ocean Reef, Orange Grove, Osborne Park
P: Padbury, Palmyra, Parkerville, Parkwood, Pearsall, Peppermint Grove, Perth, Piara Waters, Pinjar, Queens Park, Quinns Rocks
R: Red Hill, Redcliffe, Ridgewood, Riverton, Rivervale, Roleystone, Rossmoyne, Rottnest Island
S: Salter Point, Samson, Sawyers Valley, Scarborough, Seville Grove, Shelley, Shenton Park, Sinagra, Sorrento, South Fremantle, South Guildford, South Lake, South Perth, Southern River, Spearwood, St James, Stirling, Stoneville, Stratton, Subiaco, Subiaco East, Success, Swan View, Swanbourne
T: Tamala Park, Tapping, The Vines, Thornlie, Treeby, Trigg, Tuart Hill
U: Upper Swan
V: Victoria Park
W: Wangara, Wanneroo, Warwick, Waterford, Watermans Bay, Wattle Grove, Wattleup, Welshpool, Wembley, Wembley Downs, West Leederville, West Perth, West Swan, Westfield, Westminster, White Gum Valley, Whiteman, Willagee, Willetton, Wilson, Winthrop, Woodbridge, Woodlands, Woodvale, Wungong
Y: Yangebup, Yokine​