Category Archives: Visual Perception

Visual Perception encompasses the brain’s ability to interpret and make sense of visual information received from the eyes. Visual Perception covers topics related to visual processing skills, assessment techniques, therapy strategies, and practical applications to support individuals with visual perceptual challenges, especially in educational and therapeutic settings.

Visual Motor Assessment with Post-COVID Standards

Assessments, School-Based Practice, Visual Perception, , ,

The recent Therapro webinar, Psymark’s Visual Motor Abilities Test (VMAT) with Post COVID Standardization: Administered & Digitally Scored on the iPad, gave clinicians a practical look at how the visual motor assessment test process is evolving for today’s students. Presented by Karen Silberman, Ed.D., LEP and Dana Khudaverdyan, Ed.D., LEP, this session highlighted why updated assessment tools matter and how digital testing can improve efficiency, accuracy, and clinical decision-making.

Visual-motor integration remains one of the most important foundational skills for school success. It impacts handwriting, copying from the board, scissor use, classroom participation, and overall academic performance. For occupational therapists, school psychologists, educators, and intervention teams, selecting the right visual motor assessment test is critical for identifying concerns early and creating meaningful intervention plans.

The webinar introduced the new Psymark Visual-Motor Tests App: Visual-Motor Abilities Test (VMAT), the first fully digital standardized visual-motor assessment designed for iPad use. Built for children ages 4–9, VMAT includes post-COVID norms, providing more relevant benchmarking for today’s learners whose developmental experiences have been shaped by increased screen use and changes in fine motor opportunities since 2020. 

One of the strongest takeaways from the webinar was the efficiency of administration. Unlike traditional paper-and-pencil testing, VMAT allows clinicians to administer the assessment directly on an iPad using a finger or stylus. Automatic scoring removes subjectivity, reduces human error, and generates comprehensive reports instantly. This means less time measuring angles and calculating scores—and more time developing interventions and collaborating with families and teams. Reports can be easily used for IEPs, RTI/MTSS documentation, and referrals.

Another standout feature is the built-in Goal Bank. Therapists can move directly from assessment results to individualized treatment planning without starting from scratch. This supports faster goal writing and stronger documentation, especially in busy school-based and outpatient settings.

To further support visual-motor intervention planning, Therapro also recommends these related tools:

These tools pair well with VMAT by helping clinicians move from identification to intervention quickly and effectively.

As therapists, we know that assessment should do more than generate a score—it should guide better outcomes. The VMAT helps bridge that gap by combining current norms, digital precision, and practical reporting into one streamlined platform.

If you missed the webinar, you can still view the recording and explore how this innovative visual motor assessment test can support your practice. You can also browse additional resources in Therapro’s Visual Perception and Assessment categories to build a stronger toolkit for evaluation and intervention.

For clinicians looking to modernize visual-motor assessment while improving accuracy and saving valuable time, VMAT is a strong step forward.

Vision Care Considerations for Disabilities

Therapist Resources, Visual Perception, , ,

Watch the full webinar here:
📺Optometric Care and Considerations for Individuals with Disabilities

On February 10, 2026, Dr. Jem Martin, OD, FAAO, presented an insightful webinar on vision care disabilities. The session provided practical guidance for therapists, educators, and allied health professionals on how vision intersects with functional performance in individuals with developmental or neurological differences.

1. Understanding Eye Anatomy and Function

Dr. Martin reviewed essential eye anatomy and visual pathways, emphasizing how variations can affect daily activities and learning. For professionals working with individuals with disabilities, recognizing how the visual system operates is key to interpreting behaviors and supporting functional goals. Integrating knowledge of vision care disabilities into your practice helps identify subtle signs that may impact performance in therapy, school, or home environments.

2. Common Eye Conditions in Disability Populations

The webinar highlighted conditions frequently seen in children and adults with disabilities, including:

  • Refractive errors such as myopia and hyperopia
  • Visual processing differences
  • Functional vision challenges impacting motor skills and learning

Understanding these conditions allows therapists and educators to tailor interventions, adapt environments, and collaborate effectively with vision specialists, improving outcomes for those with vision care disabilities.

3. Supporting Vision Across Disciplines

Beyond diagnosis, Dr. Martin offered actionable strategies for professionals:

  • Referral guidelines: Knowing when to involve an optometrist or vision specialist
  • Functional adaptations: Adjusting activities to accommodate visual processing challenges
  • Collaborative planning: Integrating vision considerations into therapy, classroom, and daily routines

By incorporating these strategies, professionals can enhance interdisciplinary care and better support individuals with vision care disabilities.

Key Takeaways for Therapists and Educators

  • Vision involves more than visual acuity; it’s a critical processing system that influences engagement with the environment.
  • Early recognition of visual challenges informs therapy goals, classroom accommodations, and adaptive strategies.
  • Collaboration with optometry specialists strengthens care plans and functional outcomes.
  • Awareness of eye conditions in disability populations helps decode behavioral and sensory cues.

Why You Should Watch the Full Webinar

The full recording expands on these insights, providing:

  • Clinical examples showing how vision challenges affect daily performance
  • Practical strategies for therapists, educators, and allied health professionals
  • Expert guidance on interdisciplinary collaboration and referrals

📺 Watch now: Optometric Care and Considerations for Individuals with Disabilities

Integrating vision care disability knowledge into practice ensures more effective support for individuals with developmental and neurological differences. Whether you are a therapist, educator, or allied health professional, this webinar is a must-watch for enhancing outcomes and improving daily function.

Learn Faster and Work Smarter: Webinar Highlights

Therapist Resources, Visual Perception

Therapro recently hosted the webinar Learn Faster and Work Smarter, an engaging professional development session led by Dr. Cathy Stern, OD, FOVDR, FCSO, FNORA. This webinar explored the critical role of visual processing in learning efficiency, attention, and overall performance across educational and therapeutic settings. The on-demand recording is now available for those who were unable to attend live or want to revisit the content.

Learn Faster and Work Smarter

Why Visual Processing Matters

A key takeaway from the webinar was the reminder that vision is more than visual acuity. Visual processing involves how the brain interprets and responds to what the eyes see, and it plays a central role in nearly every learning task. Dr. Stern emphasized that a significant portion of the brain is devoted to visual processing, making it foundational to reading, writing, attention, organization, and task completion.

When visual processing is inefficient, learners may appear inattentive, slow, or overwhelmed — even when cognitive ability is intact. Understanding this connection allows therapists and educators to identify hidden barriers to learning.

For clinicians and educators looking to deepen their skill set, our Visual Perception & Cognition category offers a curated selection of tools and resources designed to support development in these exact areas.

Key Concepts Covered in the Webinar

Dr. Stern provided a clear, clinician-friendly overview of how visual processing impacts performance, including:

  • How visual processing speed influences reading fluency, comprehension, and copying tasks
  • The relationship between visual efficiency, attention, and cognitive workload
  • Common signs of visual processing challenges that may be overlooked in traditional evaluations
  • Practical strategies to support visual processing in everyday learning and therapy activities

The session balanced theory with application, making the information immediately usable in school-based, clinic-based, and home settings.

Practical Strategies You Can Apply Right Away

One of the strengths of this webinar was its emphasis on functional application. Attendees walked away with strategies that can be incorporated into existing routines rather than added as separate interventions. These included:

  • Simple visual activities to support processing speed and accuracy
  • Environmental and task modifications that reduce visual demand
  • Ways to integrate visual skill-building into academic and functional tasks

These approaches support more efficient learning without increasing frustration or fatigue for the learner.

Who Will Benefit from This Webinar

The content is especially valuable for:

  • Occupational therapists and COTAs
  • Special education teachers and classroom educators
  • Related service providers supporting literacy and executive functioning
  • Parents and caregivers seeking a deeper understanding of learning challenges

Whether you work with children or adults, the strategies discussed offer insight into improving performance by addressing visual processing at its foundation.

Watch the Webinar On Demand

If you’re looking for practical, evidence-informed strategies to help learners work smarter — not harder, this webinar is well worth your time.
👉 Watch the on-demand recording by clicking here

And be sure to explore our Visual Perception & Cognition category for therapist-approved assessment tools and intervention resources that align with the webinar’s themes.

Stay connected with Therapro for more therapist-approved education, tools, and resources designed to support meaningful outcomes across learning and daily life.