Mixed Hand Preference Issue - How To Tell If Right Handed Or Left Handed? | MyAutismTeam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up Log in
Resources
About MyAutismTeam
Powered By
Real members of MyAutismTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
Mixed Hand Preference Issue - How To Tell If Right Handed Or Left Handed?
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭

Our 3 year old uses both hands equally as much for pretty much all activities. I feel that he is left handed and ABA therapist are focusing on right hand for fine motor skills writing, cutting, etc. (he is a bit behind in very fine motor control but this could be due to mixed hand preference issue) - this was determined by putting things in middle and letting him pick whatever hand he wants. We are seeing OT for the first time in couple of weeks to get her take. I know it is said hand… read more

posted July 31, 2013
•
View reactions
A MyAutismTeam Member

It will not hurt anything to not push hand dominance at this time. Just always work with his hand of choice. This might change from day to day or even activity to activity but always let him pick. My son is 5 and he still doesn't have a hand dominance. He has beautiful handwriting and has above average cutting skills. So go with his lead he will pick a hand when ready but in the meantime you can work the skills with both hands.

posted July 31, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

My son did the same... did not show a hand preference at age 3 but we wanted to do fine motor things. So we decided to pick the right hand since there's more things built for right-handed people.

My son is now 18 and that worked out well.

posted July 31, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

Our son almost 6 is the same. I just try to help him with whatever hand he chooses. I'm ambidextrous, and I thought it couldn't hurt him to develop motor skills with both hands.

posted August 1, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

My son is almost 10 years old and still uses both hands for various activities. He does use his right hand for writing.

posted July 31, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

There is some research on this mixed hand topic (more about prevalence which is as reported as 30% and as high as 47% in one study) as well as theories based on neuroscience, but nothing practical to advise. With our older NT son, it was obvious even at 1 year old (right hand dominant), but for our ASD son, it is 50/50 for most things including while using iPad.

posted July 31, 2013

Related content

View All
Yuck-e Ball For Sensory Input ?
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Should I Let My High Functioning Autistic Daughter Fly On A Plane?(I'm Highly Against This But Her Father Wants Her To)
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
High Functioning Teenager Lying And Stealing.
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
Lock Icon Your privacy is our priority. By continuing, you accept our Terms of use, and our Health Data and Privacy policies.
Already a Member? Log in