What Does Lack of Motor Skills Mean? The Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

What are motor skills, really?

Before jumping into what it means to lack motor skills, let's quickly break down what they are. Motor skills are basically the abilities your body uses to move and coordinate muscles — from simple stuff like holding a spoon to more complex actions like riding a bike or writing a sentence.

There are two main types:

• Gross motor skills: big movements like walking, running, jumping

• Fine motor skills: tiny, precise movements like buttoning a shirt or tying shoelaces

So yeah, they're kind of a big deal in everyday life. Now imagine what happens when these skills don’t develop properly, or even regress. That’s when things get tricky.

What does a lack of motor skills actually mean?

It means a person has difficulty controlling movements that most others do without thinking. This can range from clumsy walking to trouble using hands for detailed tasks. It’s not just being “bad at sports” or “a bit awkward” — although yes, that can be part of it.

Sometimes it’s subtle. Other times it’s pretty obvious. Kids might bump into things constantly or take forever to learn to use a fork. Adults might struggle with handwriting or feel “off” when climbing stairs.

And no, it’s not always laziness or lack of effort. There's usually something neurological going on.

Possible causes of motor skill difficulties

Developmental disorders

• Dyspraxia (aka Developmental Coordination Disorder): Probably the most common, affecting coordination across the board.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Many autistic individuals have delayed or unusual motor development.

• ADHD: Though often seen as an attention issue, fine motor problems are also super common.

• Cerebral Palsy: A more serious condition that affects movement and posture due to brain damage during or after birth.

Neurological or muscular issues

• Stroke

• Traumatic brain injury

• Multiple sclerosis

• Muscular dystrophy

Yeah, it's a long list. And sometimes the cause isn’t clear at all — which, let’s be honest, can be frustrating.

Signs and symptoms to look for

In children

• Late walking, crawling, or sitting up

• Trouble with basic activities like drawing or stacking blocks

• Awkward running or hopping

• Can’t ride a bike even after lots of practice

• Easily tired during physical play

There was this one kid I knew in primary school — let’s call him Leo. He was super bright, could solve math puzzles faster than anyone, but couldn’t catch a ball to save his life. People joked he had “butter fingers,” but looking back, I’m pretty sure he had undiagnosed dyspraxia.

In adults

• Difficulty with tasks like typing or handwriting

• Feeling clumsy or “uncoordinated”

• Trouble learning new physical skills

• Shaky hands or inconsistent grip strength

If that sounds familiar, don’t panic — a lot of this stuff can be worked on with the right help.

What can you do about it?

Early intervention (for kids)

The earlier you catch it, the better. Pediatric occupational therapists can work wonders. So can physical therapy and specialized motor skill programs. Play-based activities can also make a huge difference — especially stuff like climbing, drawing, or building with LEGO.

Therapy and support for adults

Adults can benefit from occupational therapy, especially if their motor issues are linked to an injury or neurological condition. There are also apps and tools to improve coordination (like those brain training games, but actually useful).

And let’s be honest: sometimes you just find workarounds. Can’t tie shoes easily? Velcro sneakers exist for a reason.

Emotional and social impact

This part’s often ignored — but it shouldn’t be. Struggling with motor skills can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and frustration, especially in social settings where coordination is expected (like sports or even dancing at parties).

Supportive environments and patient people make a huge difference here.

Final thoughts: It’s not just about clumsiness

A lack of motor skills doesn’t mean someone is “dumb” or “lazy” — it means their brain and body aren’t syncing the way most people’s do. It can affect kids, teens, adults, anyone.

With awareness, support, and maybe a bit of trial and error, people with motor skill challenges can still thrive — in their own way, at their own pace.

And hey, sometimes the ones who fall behind in gym class are the ones who lead the charge elsewhere.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.