Visual Motor Integration (VMI)
Visual motor integration is the coordination of visual processing abilities and fine motor control. It is a skill that allows us to use our eyes and our hands in a coordinated and efficient way. For example, writing tasks.
Children who have difficulty integrating or coordinating their visual systems and their motor systems may present with handwriting issues as well as with other academic issues.
In order to integrate both areas the child should have efficient skills under each area.
Visual Motor Skills:
Motor Skills:
Occupational Therapists should look at all areas when assessing a child’s overall visual motor integration skills and this should not be assessed by testing alone.
Children who have difficulty integrating or coordinating their visual systems and their motor systems may present with handwriting issues as well as with other academic issues.
In order to integrate both areas the child should have efficient skills under each area.
Visual Motor Skills:
- Functional visual skills (scanning/pursuits/saccades)
- Visual Processing skills
- Eye hand coordination skills
Motor Skills:
- Core and Shoulder stability and strength in order to use hand with distal control
- Eye hand coordination skills
- Good dexterity/fine motor skills
Occupational Therapists should look at all areas when assessing a child’s overall visual motor integration skills and this should not be assessed by testing alone.
