Does Anyone Have Any Experience with Mixed Dominance in Children?

I can do almost anything with my left that I do with my right - I've never considered it a handicap or affecting my ability to process instructions. I can switch hit, pitch, and bowl, I play several musical instruments that require both hands, and type over 100 words a minute - I wouldn't stress, were I you.

S.

OK, I read many of the responses and here is my answer. Are you having the problem or is the child having the problem?
I am not trying to be disrespectful but I am unclear if his changing hands for different tasks is causing him some problems with processing or are you concerned it will eventually cause him some problems, so are trying to be pro-active before problems arise.
I have 3 boys and 2 are righties and 1 is a lefty. The lefty does switch hands for alot of things, like baseball batting etc. but eats and writes with his left, other stuff for his right. I have asked him about it and he says some things just don't feel correct in the left and feel correct in the right. But he doesn't have any problems assimilating, studying, writing or reading, or following instructions (well, beyond a pre-teen boy anyways!) ;) Plus, my oldest righty is the dyslexic. Not the changing lefty.
So, I would think that if your son were having problems then have him evaluated by the school and/or consult an OT to help him. If he is fine and handles the changes ok, I wouldn't worry.
I will tell you that my husband used to be a lefty. But when he went into elementary school in the early 70's, they forced him to be right handed. And he said it messed with him for a long time. He still has problems multi-tasking etc. and also had ADD as a child and I wonder if the school making him change his "wiring" had anything to do with his behavioral problems. I still have to write lists for him and instructions or he just doesn't process info very well.
I really wouldn't worry about it unless you can definately detect a problem. His body will sort itself out all on it's own. You also need to consider that he can be left handed but right eye dominant or right foot dominant also. So, just let him figure it out. And he will. There's no problem until there's a problem.
Good luck,
L.

Don't try to make him chose a side. His brain is wired the way it is. Make sure the teachers don't push him to use a particular hand. I think that actually makes things confusing for them. I've actually seen a comedian on TV that can draw different things with each hands at the same time! If he's having a problem with processing day to day instructions from his teacher, that may be a different issue, or maybe she's telling them to use a particular hand. Have a chat - it should be "the hand you're most comfortable using", especially if she knows he doesn't have a dominant hand. If she doesn't know, bring it to her attention so she can help him figure out which is more comfortable for the project or remind him to use whichever feels best.

My sister was like this. It caused her no problems. She writes and eats with her left hand, but plays all sports (throws, bats, shoots) right-handed. I'm not a teacher, but personally I think your son will eventually adapt and it will sort itself out.

Hi R.,

If you're really concerned you might consider having him evaluated by an occupational therapist (OT). I'm an OT and I have a couple of kids on my caseload that have not chosen a hand dominance. However, it is also tied to other issues like poor handwriting, weakness, difficulty with attention span and processing information, poor body awareness and/or decreased coordination. So, if you think it is impacting his ability to process information in school OT might be a good solution. However, if it's not affecting his ability to function then it may not be an issue. Let me know if you need some referrals in the area for some good OTs.

I don't have any experience with this really. But I think being ambidextrous is a cool thing. I don't think that it's something you should worry about. My aunt is ambidextrous and I worked with a lady who was. They didn't have any issues or idiosyncrasies or anything.

R.,
My sister had mixed dominance and has always had a hard time learning. Her brain is just wired differently. If they had been able to catch it earlier, I think there may have been some help for her. She still really struggles in school (is in college now). However, reading some of the posts here, it sounds like it is sometimes not an issue. I would think it's gonna be something where you and teachers need to be aware of how he learns and adapt to him. Getting him evaluated couldn't hurt and they will probably have some good advice for you. I agree you shouldn't force a dominance or encourage one hand over the other; I've heard this can do real damage and just confuse him. Hope you find the answers you need and are able to help him.

I eat and write with my left hand but also do some things with my right, like using scissors. As far as sports go, I'm equally bad with both hands--neither hand really feels any different. I never did sports growing up or in college and really didn't ever spend any time on arts or crafts, so, when I try to do any of those things it usually feels very akward (I can't cut or draw a straight line or throw or kick very well, etc.). I think in my case, it's just a lack of practice. I find that if I do spend enough time on a certain project, like cutting out paper shapes, I start to feel more comfortable. My guess is that as your son becomes more proficient at an activity, dominance will establish itself for that activity. I think the best thing you can do for him is just give him plenty of opportunity to hone his skills. I'm just guessing here--I am curious to know what a pediatrician might say about this, like how common it is or if kids eventually outgrow it. All the best to you and your son!

Let it play itself out.

R., both of my boys (ages almost 5 and 11) are primarily left handed, but they do a few things right handed. They both write, draw, eat, and play most sports left-handed, and my oldest plays guitar left-handed. My youngest golfs right-handed, though, and occasionally my oldest does things right-handed, too (but I can't think of anything right now). I think the most important thing is not to force a hand at any time. Let your son choose which hand he wants to use for different tasks, and if he switches hands, that's fine. It's a gift to be able to use both hands. :-)

What a gift! My husband is the same way. He can do things easily that most people struggle with. Try your son with the drums or piano to strengthen doing things with both sides of the brain simutaneously. My husband was able to fly a helicopter solo after 2 hours of simulator because he is ambidextrous and he excelled at it.

My son (who is 5 and still in preschool) is the same way. He eats with both hands, write and colors with his right hand. However, he does just about everything else with his left hand (sports included). It doesn't seem to be an issue with him. Infact he is one of the best twirlers in his preschool class, because he can do it equally well with both hands.