Megan,

You might want to google "crossing midline" or maybe "midline sensory intergration disorder." Difficulty crossing midline is a problem that originates in the brain, with the two hemispheres having trouble communicating. The neurons "hiccup" when they fire, causing problems that can very greatly from child to child. Some kids have trouble reading, suffer memory loss, get confused, have auditory processing problems, lack core strength and coordination, or suffer from a lack of balance. A child can have just one problem, or just the mental symptoms (memory, confusion, etc), or just the physical manifistations, or all of the above.

Some of the things an OT will look for in diagnosis is if the child sits in the "M" or "W" (it can be called either) shape. The legs make an "M" or "W" instead of criss-cross legs. Also, have the child sit at a desk. Place an object in front of the child on the table or desk on the side that is not dominant (generally the left side). A child who has difficulty crossing midline will grab the object with the non-dominant hand and transfer (at the vertical midline of the body) it to the dominant hand (usually right). A child (or adult) without midline issues should naturally reach over with the dominant hand to grab the item. It's hard to explain without showing you, so I hope that made sense!

A child with midline issues needs the brain to be "trained" to cross midline. So if you force the child to physically cross midline frequently, then the two hemispheres will become better at crossing the brain's midline as well. There are several ways of doing this. Crawling is great, as is marching with alternating swinging arms. Also, I have my midline kids sit criss-cross on the floor with a tupperware bowl and both sides of them. One bowl has dried noodles (that I've colored in their favorite colors) and I have them transfer each noodle from the bowl on the right side to the bowl on the left, and back again. It is important that they ONLY use the dominant hand for this exercise. Hand-transfers will only strengthen the problem! Each time they physically cross midline their correct neural pathways are being reinforced and strengthened. My oldest son (singleton) is 13 now and he has had tremendous success. When he was little his balance was so bad he would fall out of the dining room chair during dinner. He had just about every symptom of the inability to cross midline imaginable. But he is doing GREAT now!

As a disclaimer, I am not an OT, educational psychologist, or developmental nurse or specialist, so I can't in any way suggest a diagnosis. I'm only telling you what I know from my own experience and from my studies (I went back to school a couple of years ago to become an educational psychologist, but I'll be in school for a few more years yet). If you have any suspicions, please ask your OT or developmental pedi about it.

Good luck!

Jennie
Proud mom to BBB born 09-02-03 @ 32.2 wks
and 13 yr old big brother
and 3 yr old little brother