CHARGE Syndrome Canada
Newsletter
Summer 2006
Vol. 1 No.11
Genetic Alliance Conference Review
"Martial Arts" parents compete
"Ask a Psychologist"
Ask a Psychologist
John is switching between his left and right hand (age 4). Should we be encouraging him to use one particular hand? At what age do children develop hand preference for pen and pencil skills? How should we best predict John's cognitive development?
In children without disability, the dominance of one hand is progressive. Righthandedness (or lefthandedness) is more established at the end of the second year, although there are differences among studies. The selection of right or left is dependent on both the neurological equipment and the influence of the culture (most of the tools are designed for righthanded people).
In CHARGE kids, the number of children who use both hands (or preferably the left hand ) is quite high. I think the best attitude is to gently support the kids to use the right hand but also to make sure that it does not create difficulties to the child. It is unnecessary to add a new difficulty to the many challenging situations that these kids meet everyday. My opinion is that the children should not be forced into us ing their right hand; they only should be oriented to that direction if it does not create problems.
I do not know of any research showing an effect of hand preference on cognitive development in CHARGE kids. In children without disabilities, the impact of lefthandedness on cognitive development is controversial.
Jacques SOURIAU, Directeur, Centre de Ressources Exp pour Enfants et Adultes Sourds-Aveugles et Sourds-Malvoyants, 20 La Rivardi'ere 2420 52 rue de la Longerolle
24 MIGNE-AUXANCES, France
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