Bilateral Coordination
Bilateral coordination is the ability to use both of the sides together at the same time in a controlled and organized manner. Bilateral coordination includes using both sides to do the same thing (throwing a large ball), alternate movements (walking), and/or using different movements on each side (cutting with scissors).
Bilateral coordination begins to develop when your child is just a few months old. Your child will bring both hands to the middle of their body to explore their fingers. Later, your child will begin to use one hand to hold an object while the other hand moves or uses the object.
Delays with bilateral coordination
Fine motor skill delays can occur for a variety of reasons, but is not always related to a specific diagnosis. Children with fine motor delays often have difficulty with fasteners (buttons, snaps, zippers, shoe tying), feeding (using utensils, drinking from an open face cup), coloring and drawing (difficulty maintaining grasp or using an appropriate grasp), cutting with scissors, and manipulating objects within their environment.