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:
- Test of Visual Perceptual Skills – 4th Edition (TVPS-4) — an excellent complement when deeper visual perceptual assessment is needed beyond motor integration.
- Activities for Visual Perception — hands-on activities that strengthen visual discrimination, spatial awareness, and figure-ground skills.
- Workbooks for Visual Perception — practical intervention resources for school and clinic carryover.
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.
