teaching shoe lace tying?

[Guest guest]

My daughter has motor planning (Apraxia) and low muscle tone (Hypotomia) issues, and she has had extreme difficulty tying her shoe laces. It's not that she hasn't learned how, she doesn't have the hand strength or fine motor skills to tie the shoe appropriately. She is in 5th grade, and still can't do it by herself. Well, she can, but they come untied and look messy. I compensated for her when she was younger by buying her shoes that didn't require tying, like the tennis shoes with velcro. Harder to find now that she is a ladies 71/2.

You need to have a good OT evaluation and find out if your child has either of these conditions contributing to their problem, it is very common with children on the Autistic spectrum. An OT can work with a child to teach them to tie their shoes and build their hand strength. You can also find play shoes to tie at educational stores like the School Box. I also say a shoe tying puzzle at Hallmark the other day ( I notice these things because of my daughter....). I see a Lacing Shoes puzzle in Flaghouse Special Populations catalog for $19.95. The # to call and order the catalog is 1-800-793-7900. They may have other similar OT toys as well. You might also check Abilitations www.abilitations.com 1-800-845-1535.

Keep in mind, to save money, you can sit in the floor for 10 minutes everyday with an old shoes and just practice. Have your child tie your shoe laces to make it more fun.

Carol SadlerSpecial Education Consultant/Advocatesadlerpc@...www.IEPadvocate4You.com

[Guest guest]

I had a puzzle I bought from a educational store that taught shoe tying. I sent it to school with CB when he was in pre-school. Both the kids and the teacher loved it. Wish I still had it to send to you, the Teacher kept it !

CB's Granny