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Difficulties with Motor/Manual Dexterity

Motor/manual dexterity is a learned skill that involves voluntary movement to complete a task and it may range from a habitual task to a highly perceptual task e.g. from walking to writing.

Difficulties with Motor/Manual Dexterity - adjustments to practice

Motor/manual dexterity is a learned skill that involves voluntary movement to complete a task and it may range from a habitual task to a highly perceptual task e.g. from walking to writing.

Restricted manual dexterity may be temporary, recurring or permanent, and may be caused by a wide range of conditions, for example:

partial or total paralysis;
wrist sprain or fractured arm;
dyspraxia;
arthritis;
muscular dystrophy;
multiple sclerosis;
cerebral palsy.

Additionally, respiratory and cardiac diseases are debilitating and consequently may affect mobility. Any of these conditions may also impair the strengths, speed, endurance, coordination, and dexterity necessary for proper hand functioning.

Difficulties with Motor/Manual Dexterity - adjustments to practice

These strategies are suggestions for inclusive teaching and training. This list should not be considered exhaustive and it is important to remember that all learners are individuals, and good practice for one person may not necessarily be good practice for another. If you have any good practice that you would like to add to this list, please email your suggestions to ettad@worc.ac.uk.

Environmental Factors

Students who have dexterity difficulties may need to use assistive technology for class assignments or during examinations e.g. an adapted keyboard or a computer with voice recognition software.

Learning Resources

Providing copies of the lesson notes, handouts and overheads before a class session will greatly help those with dexterity difficulties who find it difficult to take notes and write.

Course Delivery

Slower writing speed needs to be taken into account when assignments are given (the length may need to be reduced or extra time given).
Provide extra time for examinations.
A note-taker or scribe may be required for lessons and/or examinations.

General Guidance

Talk to the individual - they will have already developed coping strategies and will be able to advise you on what support they will find beneficial.

Learning categories