We tried half a dozen grip techniques/aids/tools before figuring out the right ones. In addition, we focused on improving fine motor strength (cutting with scissors, playing with beads, manipulating playdough, building with small lego pieces, etc. We also had a few apps on the iPad using Mr Pencil or just using finger to draw and trace letters for fine motor control/planning (like finger painting). If possible, I would try to get a professional OT assessment to figure out the issue even if need to pay for it.

The most important part for us for not giving up and keep trying for sustained period of time - i.e. rewards / therapist approach or need to make it fun. This isn't something that I would leave early intervention or school to figure out (which they likely won't).

Check out this OT site for more activities:

http://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/fine-...

My son used to only want to do hand over hand also. He would cry and scream with frustration when using scissors. Now, after a year of OT, the art center is his favorite center and he loves to paint and create project. What worked for us was that we always had the materials available. He started by doing a lot with play doh and this really built his hand muscles. Drawing with fingers in things like sand or whipped cream was also fun. For us, it just took time and a lot of therapy, but the progress has been amazing. Be patient and don't give up!

Our son had fine motor issues of just holding the pencil and marker properly. He would easily give up and would get discouraged. Hence didn't do any drawing or writing and had no interest in it. It took six months of intensive therapy just to get him to develop the skill and confidence to hold pencil correctly and make circle and lines. But once he mastered that and had the confidence (I can do it), he has been drawing / scribbling all over the house and loves drawing now and he is proud of it as well as he loves showing it off. He is four as well. So if it is similar situation, I would work on the grip and confidence first and foremost.

He's been in early intervention programs since before he was 2... but they always tell us "he only works at his own pace" and when we offer suggestions we get shut down... maybe we will try another type of OT. I have not tried finger painting yet, I think we might try that approach. And I will definaty look into the better grip type crayons. Thanks all for the suggestions. With my son being nonverbal its so hard to tell what would be better or what would help.

My son is 21 and still has this problem. He has learned to spell on a letter board using the Rapid Prompting Method www.halo-soma.org He has spelled that he can't feel his hands. His exact words are,"Often I am frozen in a position and unable to move my lips or body to perform actions everyone expects of me." He has a severe motor planning issue that many of your children have. This problem goes way beyond OT being the solution. It's as if you and I tried to draw or write with a 10 pound pencil. How motivated would you be to continue? That does not mean you should stop trying, but something biomedically/energetically/complementary/alternatively needs to be done besides external therapies. That would probably vary and have to be individualized for the child.