A Comprehensive Guide for Oklahoma City Families
Early motor development isn’t just about crossing checkpoints—it’s about laying the foundation for your child’s independence and lifelong abilities. When a baby shows unusual motor behavior—like floppy limbs, asymmetrical movement, or trouble grasping—it’s easy to chalk it up to a minor quirk. But these signs can also indicate a serious birth injury with deep, lasting effects.
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we understand the emotional weight behind “What’s wrong with my baby?” We’re driven by both compassion and expertise, and we’re ready to stand with families in Oklahoma City navigating this difficult path.
1. What Are Unusual Motor Skills?
Motor skills fall into two categories:
- Gross motor skills – major movements like rolling, crawling, and sitting
- Fine motor skills – smaller actions like grasping toys, slick wrist control, or lifting a spoon
When development falls off the expected timeline—like missing the ability to sit independently around 6–8 months, or failing to walk by 18 months—it may signal neurological issues stemming from birth trauma. These can include cerebral palsy, nerve damage, or hypoxic brain injury.
2. How Birth Injury Can Disrupt Motor Development
Every birth injury impacting motor development often starts with one of these triggers:
- Oxygen deprivation (HIE / neonatal encephalopathy) – Brain cells begin dying after just five minutes without oxygen.
- Nerve trauma – Forceps, vacuum extraction, or shoulder dystocia can lead to brachial plexus injuries like Erb’s palsy, causing weakness or paralysis in the arm.
- Spinal cord trauma or brain hemorrhage – Excessive traction can injure the spine; pressure during delivery can cause intracranial bleeding .
- Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) – White matter damage near the brain’s ventricles, common in premature infants, leading to motor impairment and seizures
Research shows infants with neonatal HIE often struggle with fine motor coordination, cognitive and memory functions—and as many as 20% experience developmental issues. Early intervention, including therapies or hypothermia treatment, can improve outcomes.
3. Signs You Should Watch For in OKC
If your baby exhibits any of the following, take it seriously:
- Missing typical milestones: head control, rolling, sitting, crawling, walking
- Muscle tone issues: excessively stiff or floppy movements
- Favoring one side: reaching primarily with one hand
- Jerking, tremors, or spasms
- Difficulty gripping or handling small items
These symptoms may initially be subtle—like delayed head lift—and gradually grow more apparent. A pediatrician can use standard motor assessments; a neurologist might use MRIs or nerve conduction testing to evaluate the issue.
Impact on Daily Life & the Importance of Early Treatment
Unusual motor skills are not just cosmetic issues—they affect feeding, speech, independence, and even peer interaction. Babies with HIE and cerebral palsy often struggle with spasticity, coordination, and memory tasks
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Monthly evaluations and early support—occupational, physical, speech therapy—can significantly aid recovery. A study even showed dramatic improvement in children using Katona therapy from 2 months on compared to delayed treatment. Some infants also benefit from therapeutic hypothermia following birth.
When Birth Injury May Be Preventable
Many injuries exposing unusual motor skills are avoidable. Some examples:
- Undetected fetal distress or oxygen drops
- Delaying emergency C-sections
- Improper or excessive use of instruments during delivery
- Failing to monitor complications like placental problems or maternal blood pressure
We partner with perinatal experts, scan comprehensive birth records, and uncover if standard care protocols were ignored.
How We Help OKC Families
Our firm is deeply driven by a mission to seek justice and drive accountability in healthcare—because your child deserves maximum care and your family deserves certainty.
- Thorough evaluation with leading neurologists and therapists
- Build your case with expert testimony showing how birth errors occurred
- Secure compensation for lifelong therapy, adaptive equipment, and quality care
- Support change in hospitals by holding providers accountable and driving reform
Real Experiences, Real Voices
While each family's story is unique, your feelings aren’t solitary. Many parents we’ve helped describe the same: a life turned upside down, a sinking sense that something isn’t right, and a fierce love that demands justice.
What You Can Do Today
- Document everything: note missed milestones and red-flag behaviors
- Talk to your pediatrician and request developmental testing or imaging
- Ask for an early intervention plan based on suggestions from specialists
- Gather your team: you’ll need experts to understand if negligence played a role
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If your child’s motor development has raised concerns, even small ones, reach out. Van Wey, Metzler & Williams offers a free, confidential evaluation. We serve families across Oklahoma City, fighting for the resources your child deserves and pushing for accountability in our healthcare system.
Call us today to start building a future-focused, compassionate case rooted in justice.
Why We’re Different
- We accept only a small number of serious birth injury cases, ensuring depth and dedication
- Our award-winning team has achieved national recognition for hard-fought cases
- We go beyond compensation—we aim to reform the system to prevent future injuries
Let’s build a safer future—for your child, your family, and every family in Oklahoma City.
