Question

An OTR® receives a referral for a child who has difficulty with handwriting. The OTR® wants to determine whether the child has difficulty with the integrated process of handwriting rather than specific components that support the production of handwriting. Which of assessment methods would be appropriate to use for this purpose?

Answer 1

To determine whether a child has difficulty with the integrated process of handwriting, an OTR can use observation-based assessments, task-specific assessments, and standardized assessments.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessment Methods for Integrated Process of Handwriting

To determine whether a child has difficulty with the integrated process of handwriting rather than specific components, an occupational therapist can use observation-based assessments such as the Evaluation Tool of Children's Handwriting (ETCH) or the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment (MHA). These assessments involve observing the child's motor skills, coordination, and handwriting speed and legibility.

Another appropriate method is the use of task-specific assessments, such as having the child write a paragraph or complete a writing task that requires multiple processes. The therapist can analyze the child's performance and identify any difficulties in the integrated process of handwriting.

Furthermore, the therapist can conduct standardized assessments like the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) or the Test of Handwriting Skills-Revised (THS-R). These assessments can provide objective measures of the child's handwriting skills and identify any underlying difficulties in the integrated process.