Left hand-Right hand dominance

Many of you have had questions about hand dominance.  This is a really interesting article that discusses that topic!

CAN YOUR CHILD "CROSS THE MID-LINE?" excerpted from Everyday Activities to Help Your Young Child with Autism Live Life to the Full (2012) by Debra S. Jacobs & Dion E. Betts By the age of three it is easy to tell if a child is right or left handed. He will be reaching for his favorite food items or toys with the preferred hand. Often he will reach across the center of his body with his preferred hand to pick up what he wants. This reaching across the body is called "crossing the mid-line." If the child is not reaching across his body, but reaches for things on the right side with his right hand, and the left with his left hand, this does not mean he is ambidextrous. More than likely, he has not yet fully established a right or left hand dominance. Establishing a dominant hand is an important milestone. Having a dominant hand supports learning to read and write and overall coordination. The establishment of a dominant hand is a sign of growth and development. If you notice that the child is not reaching across the center of his body for items or to point at things, you can help with his development. Reaching across the center of the body is important because it helps the left and right sides of the brain communicate with each other. This helps the child know what his whole body is doing and for him to feel more balanced. The time to encourage the child to establish a dominant hand is when he is showing some signs of having a preference, but is somewhat resistant to using the preferred hand consistently. If you think the child is right or left handed and sometimes uses the other hand to reach for objects so that he does not have to expend the extra effort to reach across the center of his body, try these activities. The more the child reaches across the center of his body while doing everyday activities, the more his brain is developing. This is by no means a return to the time when left-handed children were forced to use their right hands. It is just a way to help the child along the way to maturity whether he is right or left handed. Here are some ideas you and the child may enjoy. FAVORITE FOOD FEST Whether it is chicken nuggets, cheerios, or grapes, most children have a favorite finger food. Have the child sit at the table facing forward. Place a plate directly in front of him with his favorite finger food in a line or circle around the plate. The child will naturally reach for the food and begin to eat. Gently hold the "non-dominant" hand as you casually and quietly talk with the child, and encourage him to enjoy his snack. Or you can remain silent and just enjoy each other's company. If you do not feel right about holding his hand, you can give him a favorite little truck or car to hold on to with the non-dominant hand. You will observe the child reaching to the opposite side of the plate for the food item he desires. Notice if the child is turning his body as he reaches. If he is turning his body, this means he is resistant to crossing the mid-line. Simply reposition him so that he is sitting in a straight direction. Use the positioning corrections and non-dominant hand distractions for no more than five minutes the first day. Keep at it a few times a day as a natural part of snack or mealtimes. This skill will develop over time with a little help and encouragement. . . ******************************** Does your child struggle with brushing their teeth? Is it difficult to get them dressed and undressed each day? Do they struggle to understand their body's relationship to the world? Everyday Activities to Help Your Young Child with Autism Live Life to the Full is brimming with simple ideas, activities, and exercises to address these daily challenges that young children with autism face. Easy to carry out and to fit into your routines, they will help improve a child's sense of body awareness, coordination, and motor skills, and address key tasks such as eating meals and healthy sleep. There are also ideas for tackling social challenges, including playing with friends, going on holiday, and staying calm at school.     You'll find this practical and helpful book plus 1200 other unique and hard-to-find items for children with ASD and those who love, care for, and educate them at AutismShop.com.   "Your selection is the best I've ever found!" A Minnesota Not for Profit Corporation 5757 Sanibel Drive   Minnetonka, MN 55343   952.988.0088