Visual Motor Skills

We have shared quite a few posts relating to vision and the integration of what the eyes see with motor
movements.  On this page, you will find a huge variety of visual motor activities for kids.  Visual motor skills are
needed for coordinating the hands, legs, and the rest of the body's movements with what the eyes perceive. 
There is more that plays into the integration of visual motor skills into what we do and how we use our hands in
activities. Read on to find out more about how visual perception (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/11/toys-
to-improve-visual-perception.html), eye-hand coordination, and visual processing
(https://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/08/what-is-visual-processing-visual-efficiency.html) skills play a part in
the overarching visual motor skill development so we can perceive and process visual information and use that
information with motor skills to manipulate and move objects in tasks and activities.

Visual Motor Skills

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ual-motor-skills.jpg)

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What are Visual Motor Skills?
Visual Motor Skills enable an individual to process information around them. The ability to observe, recognize,
and use visual information about forms, shapes, figures, and objects makes up our visual motor abilities. Visual
motor skills include a coordination of visual information that is perceived and processed with motor skills,
including fine motor, gross motor, and sensory motor.

When a child performs activities involving motor tasks, they are using visual motor skills. 

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Visual motor skills are made up of several areas:

1. Visual Processing Skills- These skills include how the eyes move and collect information. These are visual
skills that take in and use the information in order to process that input. Visual skills include visual tracking,
convergence, saccades, visual fixation, and visual attention. A component of visual processing includes visual
efficiency. This refers to the effective use of that visual information. 

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2. Visual Perceptual Skills- Visual perception is our ability to make sense of what we see. Visual perceptual
skills (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/04/tangrams-and-visual-perception-in-handwriting.html) are
essential for everything from navigating our world to reading, writing, and manipulating items. Visual perception
is made up of a complex combination of various skills. Visual perceptual skills include visual memory, visual
closure, form constancy, visual spatial relations, visual discrimination, visual attention, visual sequential
memory, and visual figure ground.

3. Eye-Hand Coordination- Using the visual input effectively and efficiently with the hands allows us to
manipulate and manage objects and items. This coordinated motor skill requires fine motor skill development.
These motor skills allow us to collect visual information and use it in a motor action. Eye-hand coordination
requires fine motor dexterity, strength, shoulder stability, core stability, etc. Examples of eye-hand coordination
include catching a ball, manipulating pegs into a pegboard, lacing a lacing card, etc. Visual motor skills both
require and utilize eye-hand coordination, however the overarching visual motor skills utilize additional
components and are a higher level skill.

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Red flags for visual motor skill difficulties include:

Letter reversal

Poor line awareness in handwriting

Poor margin use in written work

Difficulty copying written work

Trouble recognizing patterns and completing hands-on math problems

Difficulty catching or kicking a ball

Trouble with movement games like hopscotch.

Clumsiness

Difficulty with sports

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Difficulty drawing and copying pictures or shapes
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Difficulty copying block forms

Difficulty with puzzles

Poor pencil control when writing

Difficulty keeping place when reading and writing

Difficulty perceiving and copying shapes

Visual Motor Skills are made up of many areas related to vision and the ability to perceive sight with relation to
movement of the hands and body in functional tasks.  

What if you suspect vision problems? 

When vision problems are suspected after a screening by the OT, it is best practice to refer the family to a
developmental optometrist.

A developmental optometrist will complete a full evaluation and determine the need for corrective lenses,
vision therapy or a home program to address vision concerns.

As occupational therapists, it is imperative that we rule out vision problems before treating handwriting or
delays in visual motor integration, to ensure the best possible trajectory of development and success for the
child.

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Occupational Therapy Vision Screening Tool

Occupational Therapists screen for visual problems in order to determine how they may impact functional
tasks. Visual screening can occur in the classroom setting, in inpatient settings, in outpatient therapy, and in
early intervention or home care. 

This visual screening tool was created by an occupational therapist and provides information on visual terms,
frequently asked questions regarding visual problems, a variety of visual screening techniques, and other tools
that therapists will find valuable in visual screenings. 

This is a digital file. Upon purchase, you will be able to download the 10 page file and print off to use over and
over again in vision screenings and in educating therapists, teachers, parents, and other child advocates or
caregivers.

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Visual perceptual skills make up an important component of visual motor skills. For children, these abilities are
necessary for so many things...from self-care to fine motor skills, to gross motor skills...all parts of a child's
development require visual perception.  There are many pieces to the giant term of "visual perception".  

There are many resources related to visual perceptual skills here on The OT Toolbox: 

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 (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/11/toys-to-improve-visual-perception.html) 

(https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/11/strategies-to-address-visual-perception.html) 

(https://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/04/tangrams-and-visual-perception-in-

handwriting.html) (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/02/what-is-visual-

memory.html)

Toys and Tools to Improve Visual Perception (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/11/toys-to-improve-visual-

perception.html)
×
Visual Perception and Handwriting (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/11/strategies-to-address-visual-
perception.html)
Use Tangrams to Improve Visual Perception in Handwriting
(https://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/04/tangrams-and-visual-perception-in-handwriting.html)

What is Visual Memory?  (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/02/what-is-visual-memory.html)

(https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/01/visual-perceptual-skills-with-markers.html)

(https://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/06/How-to-use-tangrams-improve-visual-

perception-skills.html) (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/03/space-visual-

perception-puzzle.html) (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/03/flower-theme-free-

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visual-perception.html)

Improve Visual Perception with Markers (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/01/visual-perceptual-skills-with-

markers.html)

Use Tangrams to Improve Visual Perception (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/06/How-to-use-tangrams-

improve-visual-perception-skills.html)

Space Visual Perception Puzzle (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/03/space-visual-perception-puzzle.html)

Flower Visual Perception Printable (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/03/flower-theme-free-visual-

perception.html)

Search "Visual Perception" or individual visual perceptual skills in the search bar at the top of this website for
more activities.

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(//1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRFg_1KYpSc/VN-OagjnhPI/AAAAAAAArfA/pEiC049CYA0/s1600/activities-visual-
 motor-skills-visual-perceptual-skills-kids.jpg)

When it comes to vision, there is so much to learn!  Start by checking out Visual Motor Integration
developmental milestones (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/02/visual-motor-integration-
developmental.html) for age-appropriate skills that children typically master from age 0-5.

Activities to help develop visual motor integration:

The activities below are designed to develop the ability to integrate and coordinate visual input with motor
skills.  I am breaking down the activities into different areas.  Click on the main links to find even more
explanation of each area. 

Eye-Hand Coordination Activity for Kids

Hand-eye coordination is using the information received through the vision system to coordinate the
hands with control, in order to complete a task, such as handwriting or catching a ball.

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 (//2.bp.blogspot.com/-

zISepFJVS0U/VODfvVb95qI/AAAAAAAArhg/YuA1_WOma2A/s1600/hand-eye-coordination-vision-
activities.jpg)

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 (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/02/easy-eye-hand-coordination-activities-with-

paper.html) (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/03/bilateral-coordination-visual-motor-

clover.html) (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/03/large-fine-motor-threading-

with.html) (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/08/what-is-visual-processing-visual-

efficiency.html)

Eye-Hand Coordination Activities using Paper (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/02/easy-eye-hand-

coordination-activities-with-paper.html)
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Bilateral Coordination Visual Motor Integration Clover (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/03/bilateral-
coordination-visual-motor-clover.html)

Jumbo Fine Motor Threading Activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/03/large-fine-motor-threading-

with.html)
 Visual Processing and Visual efficiency-Problems you can not see
(http://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/08/what-is-visual-processing-visual-efficiency.html)

(http://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/06/the-floor-is-lava-games.html)

(https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/03/rainbow-visual-motor-activity.html)

(https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/03/visual-motor-letter-rainbow.html)

(https://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/07/visual-motor-scanning-activity-to-color.html)

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The Floor is Lava game (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/06/the-floor-is-lava-games.html)

Rainbow Ladder Visual Motor Activity (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/03/rainbow-visual-motor-

activity.html)
 (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/03/visual-motor-letter-rainbow.html)
Visual Motor Letter Rainbow (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/03/visual-motor-letter-rainbow.html)

Visual Motor Letter Activity (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/07/visual-motor-scanning-activity-to-

color.html)

(https://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/11/visual-motor-integration-tool-with-KORXX-

blocks.html) (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/02/visual-motor-integration-

developmental.html) (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/10/visual-scanning-fine-

motor-activity-for-kids.html)

Block Design Copying with KORX (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/11/visual-motor-integration-tool-with-

KORXX-blocks.html)

Visual Motor Development (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/02/visual-motor-integration-

developmental.html)

Visual Motor Activity with Rubber Bands (https://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/10/visual-scanning-fine-motor-

×
activity-for-kids.html)
 Baby and Toddler Sensory Floor Play (https://images-blogger-
opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-
gcNej0ZYDXQ%2FVAaKqaraJkI%2FAAAAAAAAiUY%2FkUG27StqKck%2Fs1600%2Froll-pop-and-pull-
fine-motor.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*)

Blue-Themed Sensory Play for Babies and Toddlers (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/05/blue-

sensory-play-for-toddlers.html)

Fine Motor Play with Tissue Paper (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/04/fine-motor-play-with-

tissue-paper.html)

Baby Brain Building (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2012/10/baby-play-aka-brain-building.html)

Invitation to Scoop and Pour (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/04/invitation-to-scoop-and-
pour.html)

Baby Ice and Bath (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2012/09/baby-bath-ice-play.html)

Playing With Color (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/05/playing-with-color-toddler-play.html)

Learning Apples and Red (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2012/10/learning-red-apples.html)

Learning Colors Cup Play (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2012/09/learning-colors.html)

Cups and Spoons (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2012/11/indoor-play-baby-editionspoons-and-

cups.html)

Sight word scooping (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/12/sight-word-scooping-learning-

matching.html)

Finger dexterity exercise (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/02/finger-dexterity-exercise-game-for-

fine.html)

Tracing Letters: Letter Formation Handwriting Practice with Chalk

(http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/08/tracing-letters-handwriting-practice.html)

Tracing Lines with a DIY Light Box (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/01/diy-light-box.html)

Pencil Control Worksheets You Can Make At Home (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/02/pencil-

control-worksheets-you-can-make.html)

Christmas-Themed Pencil Control Activities-DIY Worksheets for Pencil Control

(http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/12/diy-christmas-pencil-control-activity.html)
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Line Awareness with Beads (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/10/b-is-for-beads-sorting-line-
awareness.html) 
Scissor Skills: Activities for Kids (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/01/scissor-skills-activities-for-
kids.html)

Improving Scissor Skills with Play Dough (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/03/improving-scissor-

skills-with-play-dough.html)

Cutting Foam Beads (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/06/foam-beading-fine-motor-scissor-

use.html)

Using  Stickers to Help with Scissor S (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/02/using-stickers-to-help-

with-scissor.html)kills (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/02/using-stickers-to-help-with-
scissor.html)

Finger-painting Fireworks for Scissor Use (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/06/patriotic-craft-

fingerpainting-fireworks.html)

Icicle Winter Scissor Skills Activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/01/icicle-winter-scissor-skills-

activity.html)

Bunny Tongs Scissor Skills Activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/03/bunny-tongs-scissor-skills-

activity.html)

Color Sorting Scissor Activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/04/color-sorting-scissor-activity.html)

Pattern activities (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/01/pattern-activities-for-kids-math-play.html)

Eye-hand coordination activity with letters (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/07/hand-eye-

coordination-letter-activity.html)

I Spy sight word sensory bottle (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/06/i-spy-sight-word-sensory-

bottle.html)

Recycled milk container ghost catch game (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2012/10/ghost-catch-

game.html)

DIY lacing cards from recycled carry out containers (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/02/diy-

lacing-cards-from-carry-out.html)

Fine motor and auditory bubble wrap activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/07/fine-motor-

and-auditory-fireworks.html)

Fine motor with pipe cleaners and a cardboard box (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/03/using-

pipe-cleaners-for-fine-motor.html) ×

Cereal box fine motor coordination (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/10/cereal-box-fine-motor-

coordination.html)
 Pipe cleaner bottle activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/02/pipe-cleaner-fun.html)

Toddler ping pong activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/06/toddler-ping-pong-visualmotor-play.html)

Play Dough noodle color match (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/11/fine-motor-pincer-grasp-color-

match.html)

Feather Beading (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/03/beads-and-feathers-for-fine-motor-and.html)

Fine Motor color sorting (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/03/fine-motor-color-sorting-activity-

for.html)

Play Dough color match (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/04/play-dough-color-match-learning-

activity.html)

Building shapes with styrofoam (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/06/styrofoam-building-

shapes.html)

Heart breaker nut activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/01/heartbreaker-valentines-day-

activity.html)

Giant motor planning maze (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/10/motor-planning-spider-web-

maze-fine.html)

Concentric Circle Painting (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/04/concentric-circle-stamp-art.html)

Line Matching with pipe cleaners (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/05/shape-matching-busy-bag-

activity.html?m=1)

Color matching Elemer Activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/05/elmer-elephant-color-

learning-visual.html?m=1)

Word building with nature (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/09/decodable-reading-with-nature-

letter.html?m=1)

Line awareness heart maze (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/01/heart-maze-visual-perceptual-

activity.html)

Finger dexterity exercise (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/02/finger-dexterity-exercise-game-for-

fine.html)

Winter scissor activity-cut icicles (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/01/icicle-winter-scissor-skills-

activity.html) ×

Pencil Control candy cane (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/12/diy-christmas-pencil-control-

activity.html)
 Sight word match with string (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/10/creative-sight-word-practice-
with-string.html)

Giant motor planning maze (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/10/motor-planning-spider-web-

maze-fine.html)

Line awareness bead picture (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/10/b-is-for-beads-sorting-line-

awareness.html)

Create your own race track (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/04/create-your-own-race-trackfine-

motor.html)

Letters on the garage door (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/04/magnetic-letters-on-garage-

door.html)

Visual scanning is essential for handwriting skills, puzzles, word searches, mazes, and many many
functional tasks.  Scanning a room for a missing sock may be difficult if a child demonstrates
difficulty with visual scanning.

Penguin math activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/02/penguin-themed-math-counting-

activity.html)

Finger dexterity game with recycled bubble wrap (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/02/finger-

dexterity-exercise-game-for-fine.html)

Sight word sensory bin with shredded paper (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/02/sight-word-

sensory-bin.html)

Cardboard box golf tee hammering (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/06/100-days-of-play-golf-

tee-hammering-play.html)

Letter learning with recycled bottle caps (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/03/letter-learning-with-

bottle-caps.html)

Recycled bottle cap sight word stamps (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/10/sight-word-bottle-

cap-stampers.html)

Visual Scanning Activities (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/04/visual-scanning-activities.html)

Sight word game (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/05/sight-word-roll-pop-pull-game.html?m=1)

Giant motor planning maze (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/10/motor-planning-spider-web- ×

maze-fine.html)
 Visual motor sticker scanning activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/07/visual-motor-
scanning-activity-to-color.html?m=1)

Create your own race track (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/04/create-your-own-race-trackfine-

motor.html)

(//2.bp.blogspot.com/-

dbY2dWeRHB0/VkVJfTNGlHI/AAAAAAAA19k/boM2B1dPeDw/s1600/reasons-kids-should-play-

with-stickers-fine-motor.jpg)  

Benefits of Stickers in Occupational Therapy (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/11/benefits-of-

playing-with-stickers-occupational-therapy.html)

Visual Tracking with Cardboard Tubes (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/10/visual-tracking-

activities-for-kids.html)

Visual Spatial Relations (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/05/what-are-visual-spatial-

relations.html) is organizing the body in relation to objects or spatial awareness.  This is an
important part of handwriting.  Spacing pieces of a puzzle amongst the others and writing in relation
to the lines is one way to work on this skill.

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 (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/05/what-are-visual-

spatial-relations.html)

Visual Discrimination is determining differences in color, form, size, shape. 

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 (//3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GJ9FqcbdJE/VODjhj_QUAI/AAAAAAAArh8/uy-5FpOnmI8/s1600/visual-
discrimination-activities-vision-kids.jpg)

Penguin math activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/02/penguin-themed-math-counting-

activity.html)

Color matching Elemer Activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/05/elmer-elephant-color-

learning-visual.html?m=1)

Finger dexterity exercise (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/02/finger-dexterity-exercise-game-for-

fine.html)
×
Practice "b" and "d" with sensory writing (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/09/sensory-
handwriting-practice-letter.html)
 Color shape discrimination Sort (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/10/color-shape-sorting-
patterns-counting.html)

Coin discrimination (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/08/manipulating-coins-fine-motor-

skills.html)

Real toy I Spy game (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/05/real-toy-i-spy-game.html)

Letters on the garage door (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/04/magnetic-letters-on-garage-

door.html)

Visual Closure is the ability to fill in parts of a form in the mind's eye to determine shape or a whole
object.  

Color matching Elmer Activity (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/05/elmer-elephant-color-learning-

visual.html?m=1)

Create your own race track (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/04/create-your-own-race-trackfine-

motor.html)

Visual Figure Ground is the ability to locate objects within a cluttered area (think "I Spy").  Finding a
red square among the pile of foam pieces is one fun way to work on this area of visual perception.

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 Baby Ice and Bath (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2012/09/baby-bath-ice-play.html)

Bottle cap letters (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/03/letter-learning-with-bottle-caps.html)

Letter Bin (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/02/letter-bin.html)

Sight word sensory bin (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/02/sight-word-sensory-bin.html)

Rainbow sensory bins (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/03/3-rainbow-sensory-bins.html)

I Spy sight word sensory bottle (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/06/i-spy-sight-word-sensory- ×

bottle.html)

Real toy I Spy game (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/05/real-toy-i-spy-game.html)

Finger dexterity exercise (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/02/finger-dexterity-exercise-game-for-
fine.html)

Figure ground sight word hunt (http://www.theottoolbox.com/2013/09/sight-word-scavenger-

hunt.html)

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KrnE0ubf2m4/XI4zrx3AB8I/AAAAAAAA9OA/_I-
2amMI10Iby0Dk86L3b93zDgxwbL4UACLcBGAs/s1600/visual-motor-skills-activities.jpg)

Need more help? 

If you think your child or student might have some of these difficulties that lead to problems with handwriting, it
can be quite beneficial to speak to an Occupational Therapist. 
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There are many different signs of visual processing disorder that can be spotted in the classroom or in the
homeschool dining room that might signify a potential visual processing disorder. I have created a checklist
(https://transactions.sendowl.com/products/77855513/4BCDBD2F/add_to_cart) that will help to guide the
plan for students with visual processing difficulties presented in written work and classroom tasks. 

Grab your digital copy (https://transactions.sendowl.com/products/77855513/4BCDBD2F/add_to_cart) for

$1.99 and print off this checklist to pass on to Occupational Therapists as part of a classroom screening, share
with parents, or use when presenting information to physicians.

This checklist (https://transactions.sendowl.com/products/77855513/4BCDBD2F/add_to_cart) is not to be

used as therapy or in diagnosis of visual processing disorders, but only as an informational tool. 

Get your copy (https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?c=cart&ejc=2&cl=298313&i=1512764) and use it in the

classroom, clinic, and home.

Home (https://www.theottoolbox.com/?m=1)
View web version (https://www.theottoolbox.com/p/visual-motor-skills.html?m=0)
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