The association between measures of visual perception,visual-motor integration,and in-hand manipulation skills of school-age children and their manuscript handwriting speed

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate whether measures of visual perception, visual-motor integration, and in-hand manipulation skills of school-age children were associated with their manuscript handwriting speed.

Method

A convenience sample of 39 typically developing Australian students aged six to eight years completed the Beery–Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration – 6th edition (DTVMI), the Developmental Test of Visual Perception – 3rd edition (DTVP-3), the Test of In-Hand Manipulation – Revised (TIHM-R), and the Handwriting Speed Test (HST). Spearman rho correlations and multi-linear regression analyses were completed to analyze the data.

Results

Significant correlations were found between visual perception, visual-motor integration, and in-hand manipulation skills and total letters written and total letters per minute. Regression analyses indicated that, when modeled together, the DTVP-3 eye–hand coordination and visual closure subscales and the TIHM-R were significant predictors of total letters written accounting for 25.5% of the variance. The DTVP-3 copying and visual closure subscales and the TIHM-R were predictive of total letters written per minute, with the TIHM-R making a significant unique contribution of 9.1% to the total variance of 26%.

Conclusion

Visual perception abilities, specifically visual closure skills, plus in-hand manipulation skills appear to be significant predictors of children’s printing speed and need to be assessed and potentially targeted for skill remediation when working with school-age children who present with manuscript handwriting difficulties.

Keywords

Manuscript handwriting printing speed visual perception visual-motor integration in-hand manipulation occupational therapy children

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