iOccupationalTherapy.com – Call us: 866-782-9924

What Is The Grip Progression In Children?

Megan Paben, MOT, OTR/L, ASDCS

September 30, 2022

Share:

Question

What is the grip progression in children?

Answer

There is grip progression over time, as noted in Figure 1. 

Figure 1

Starting at one to one and a half years, we see a cylindrical grasp or a palmer-type grasp. At two to three years, they move to a pronated grasp. At three and a half it moves to a modified tripod grasp. This looks very different in individuals, but many times, you will see an all finger or a four finger grasp. Finally, around four and a half to seven years, as they are getting into the school, we see more of a tripod grasp, as the intrinsic muscles tend to strengthen. Even though this is my child and an "OT" kid, he still wants to stabilize a little bit with his middle digit. It is still a functional grasp.


megan paben

Megan Paben, MOT, OTR/L, ASDCS

Megan Paben received her master’s degree in occupational therapy at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2007. Megan began her career as a school therapist in rural Nebraska, serving several small schools. After two years in the school setting, Megan transitioned into an outpatient pediatric clinic working with a variety of different diagnoses, and worked as the marketing coordinator.  After a couple of years, Megan took over the manager position within the medical clinic. During this time, she worked in a school within the community as well as working with the adult population clinic that was connected to her medical clinic. In 2018, Megan and her family relocated to Colorado, where she is an occupational therapist for a growing school district.  In her current position, Megan is the lead motor staff member. She serves 5 center-based classrooms for social communication as well as affective needs. Megan is a Crisis Prevention Intervention trainer for her district and an Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinical Specialist. 


Related Courses

OT And Special Education Collaboration
Presented by Megan Paben, MOT, OTR/L, ASDCS, Stephanie Rylee, MEd
Video

Presenters

Megan Paben, MOT, OTR/L, ASDCSStephanie Rylee, MEd
Course: #5898Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Great information'   Read Reviews
Occupational therapy and its role in the school system, including collaboration with special education, MTSS/RTI process, and how to make it a full-circle approach, will be discussed in this course. This course will also review deficits seen in the school and what strategies can be provided to school teams.

Employing Verbal De-Escalation Strategies In Occupational Therapy
Presented by Megan Paben, MOT, OTR/L, ASDCS
Video

Presenter

Megan Paben, MOT, OTR/L, ASDCS
Course: #5980Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Great presentation'   Read Reviews
Participants will learn about verbal de-escalation strategies and how to employ these strategies in OT sessions.

Naturally Build Reflex Activities Into The School Day
Presented by Megan Paben, MOT, OTR/L, ASDCS
Video

Presenter

Megan Paben, MOT, OTR/L, ASDCS
Course: #5783Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Excellent visual examples and great ideas for interventions'   Read Reviews
Participants will identify and review common reflexes and the deficits associated seen in the school setting and learn exercises that can be implemented in the school setting in this introductory course.

Handwriting: It Is A Big Deal
Presented by Megan Paben, MOT, OTR/L, ASDCS
Video

Presenter

Megan Paben, MOT, OTR/L, ASDCS
Course: #5624Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Easy to follow, real intervention stories/ sensations'   Read Reviews
The foundations of the upper extremity mobility needed for written communication will be reviewed in this course. Participants will also learn about fine motor and visual-motor skills that support written communication.

Foundations for School Readiness: Sensory Regulation and Yoga (Day 1)
Presented by Britt Collins, MS, OTR/L
Video

Presenter

Britt Collins, MS, OTR/L
Course: #3841Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Engaging and knowledgeable presenter'   Read Reviews
This course will provide you tips and tools to integrate sensory regulation, yoga and mindfulness into the classroom for children of all abilities.