Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting, Second Edition

Audience

This session is designed for allied health professionals who work with children and young people experiencing handwriting challenges related to motor coordination difficulties, developmental disorders, learning differences, attention and executive functioning needs, or sensory processing differences. The content will benefit clinicians supporting children in educational, community, and clinical settings where handwriting affects participation, confidence, and access to learning.

Course Description

Handwriting is a complex task that integrates biomechanical, perceptual, cognitive, and environmental skills. When difficulties arise, they can restrict participation in education and everyday activities, requiring therapists to identify contributing factors and implement effective interventions.

This workshop offers a structured framework for understanding the foundations of handwriting—from pencil grasp and posture to visual–motor and executive functioning skills. Participants will learn to use both standardised and non-standardised tools, including the DASH-2, Beery VMI, and DTVP-3 to assess baseline skills, legibility, speed, and functional impact.

The session explores a broad range of intervention strategies, including multisensory and developmental approaches, environmental modifications, and technology supports. Therapists will leave with practical, evidence-informed methods for planning therapy that balances skill development with functional participation, while also considering alternatives such as typing and dictation when appropriate.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Understand the foundations of handwriting, including biomechanical, visual–motor, perceptual, cognitive, and environmental factors.
• Identify suitable handwriting assessments, both standardised (e.g. DASH-2, Beery VMI, DTVP-3) and non-standardised, to evaluate baseline skills and functional impacts.
• Analyse handwriting performance across domains such as legibility, speed, memory, copying, and dictation.
• Apply a range of intervention strategies, including pencil grasp development, multisensory methods, and both developmental and top-down approaches.
• Plan interventions that consider the child’s abilities, classroom demands, and family or teacher expectations, balancing skill development with participation.
• Explore alternatives to handwriting—such as typing, dictation, and technology supports—when appropriate for functional participation.

Prerequisites

Confidentiality

All workshop materials, including recordings, slides, and case examples, must be treated as confidential. By enrolling, you agree to:

• Not copy, record, or distribute any part of the workshop content in any format.
• Keep your login details secure and ensure only you access the provided materials.
• Avoid showing or sharing content with colleagues, peers, or external groups unless they have purchased their own access.

Intellectual Property

All training resources, templates, workbooks, and guides are the intellectual property of Verve OT Learning. These materials are provided for your personal learning and professional development. You agree to:

• Use the content solely for your own clinical or educational purposes.
• Not reproduce, adapt, or distribute the materials without written permission from Verve OT Learning.
• Not screenshot, duplicate, or repurpose any part of the workshop materials, including video or text, for sharing with others.

Resources and Templates

Any templates or guides provided with the training are designed to support your practice. Editable versions may be supplied for you to adapt for your client work. To use these resources within a team or organisation, each professional must hold their own licence or course access.

Presenters

Alyce Svensk

Alyce Svensk is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, educator, and mentor with more than 14 years of experience. She founded and led Sensational Start OT, a paediatric private practice, from 2017 to 2024 before launching The OT Coach Australia.

Through supervision, mentoring, clinical education, and business support, Alyce helps occupational therapists feel confident in their practice and clear in their career direction. She offers practical, down-to-earth workshops, supervision, and mentoring programs for therapists at every stage of their career.

Alyce also hosts two podcasts: OT Coaching Confidential, featuring real-life mentoring conversations, and OT Unplugged, co-hosted with Sarah Collison and Nikki Cousins, which explores the future of occupational therapy. Across all her work, Alyce is passionate about helping therapists bridge the gap between theory and practice while building sustainable, meaningful careers.

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