Some children, especially those with poor coordination, struggle to catch a tennis ball with any success – they may stand, hands outstretched, ready and waiting, but seem surprised when the ball actually gets to them, jumping away as if in fear of it hitting them, and no matter how much practice they have this will keep happening. Their throwing skills are likely to be just as poor: confusing overarm with underarm or perhaps trying to aim the ball at a target but never ever getting it anywhere near.
By the time a child reaches the age of ten years old they should be able to catch a ball, and if they can’t then it may be a symptom of neurodivergence (the term for when someone’s brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered “typical”).
Want to know more? Read Usha Patel’s full blog post here
