handwriting assessment
From Birth
about package 3
Handwriting is a big part of school life. When writing feels hard, it can affect a child’s confidence, speed of work, and ability to show what they know. An Occupational Therapist (OT) looks at the underlying skills behind handwriting not just the writing itself so we can understand why your child is finding it tricky and how to help them succeed.
A handwriting assessment can help if your child:
- Has messy or difficult-to-read handwriting
- Uses an awkward pencil grasp that is not functional for them
- Writes letters that are too big, too small, uneven, or poorly spaced
- Gets tired or frustrated during writing tasks
- Struggles to organise ideas on paper
- Avoids writing or says they “hate writing”
Often, handwriting challenges are linked to things like fine motor strength, coordination, hand control, visual perception, or the way a child holds and moves their pencil. These are all areas OT's provide support in.
What does an OT look for?
OTs break handwriting down into smaller parts to understand what’s making writing tough. We look at:
- Letter formation
- Spacing and alignment
- Pencil grip and hand strength
- Hand-eye coordination
- Visual perception
- Motor planning and control
What are the benefits of a handwriting assessment?
Parents often tell us they booked because they want their child to:
- Feel more confident with schoolwork
- Complete writing faster and with less frustration
- Keep up with classmates
- Improve legibility so teachers can understand their ideas - teachers have expressed concern
- Enjoy writing instead of avoiding it
OTs help uncover the root causes of handwriting challenges and create a plan that actually works for your child.
as a part of this package:
- Parent/Caregiver Intake Session: We talk with you to understand your child’s challenges, strengths, and goals.
- 1.5-hour In-Clinic Child Assessment
- Your child completes standardised assessments tailored to their needs. This may include: A handwriting assessment, A fine motor or visual perception assessment, A motor skills assessment
- Comprehensive Written Report
- You’ll receive a detailed breakdown of your child’s handwriting skills and how these may be affecting their schoolwork. We include clear, practical recommendations for home and school.
- Feedback Session
not included
- Home or School visits are not included in this assessment package
- Medicare rebates
- This is not a diagnostic assessment
The assessment breakdown/how it works
We know that booking an assessment for your child can feel like a big step. Our goal is to make the process simple, supportive, and stress-free, so you know exactly what to expect along the way.
Session 1: Parent / Guardian Intake Session (1 Hour)
- Duration: 1 Hour
- This first session is for parents or guardians only.
- Conducted In Clinic or via Telehealth
- Information gathering session to gather information relating to your child’s motor skills
SESSION 2: CHILD SESSION (1.5 Hours)
- Duration: 1.5 Hours
- Where: In the clinic (must be in person)
- This session is with your child and you
- Session involves the administration of standardised assessment tailored to your child's needs
sESSION 3: Parent/guardian feedback session (1 Hour)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Where: In the clinic or via telehealth
- When: Around 2 weeks after the assessment
- Discussion of report and recommendations
cost - $1380
Your child’s assessment is a comprehensive, in-depth process that involves 6 hours of dedicated clinical time, including parent intake, direct assessment with your child, scoring, analysis, report writing, and a detailed feedback session.
This fee reflects the care, expertise, and time our Occupational Therapist's invest to ensure every report is meaningful, accurate, and tailored to your child’s unique strengths and needs.
A $550 deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your assessment. This deposit is non-refundable due to the significant preparation and appointment time allocated for each family.
Please note, this assessment is not covered by Medicare. However, some private health funds may offer rebates. Please check with your provider using item code 100. We accept NDIS Self and Plan Managed clients.
This fee reflects the care, expertise, and time our Occupational Therapist's invest to ensure every report is meaningful, accurate, and tailored to your child’s unique strengths and needs.
A $550 deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your assessment. This deposit is non-refundable due to the significant preparation and appointment time allocated for each family.
Please note, this assessment is not covered by Medicare. However, some private health funds may offer rebates. Please check with your provider using item code 100. We accept NDIS Self and Plan Managed clients.
- The package includes:
- All testing sessions with an Occupational Therapist
- A detailed written report with personalised recommendations
- A one-hour feedback session to go through results and next steps
What to Expect When Booking an Assessment
We understand that organising an assessment for your child can feel like a big step. Our friendly admin team is here to make the process smooth and stress-free from your very first call.
when you call to book
- When you first contact us, our team will have a brief chat to understand your child’s needs and confirm the most suitable assessment package. You’ll then be asked to complete two short forms: (1) Screener Form - helps us confirm that the assessment you’re requesting is the right fit for your child’s needs (2) Assessment Consent and Deposit Agreement - outlines the process, cost, and booking details.
- Once both forms are returned, we’ll contact you with available assessment dates. When you’ve chosen a date that suits you, we’ll take your $550 deposit over the phone to secure the booking (Please note: bookings cannot be held without a deposit.)
WHEN YOU ARE BOOKED
After payment, you’ll receive a confirmation email with:
- Your assessment date and times
- The clinician’s name and clinic details
- A breakdown of what to expect on the day
- Access to your Brilliant Minds assessment forms and online standardised questionnaires - to be completed one week before your appointment
These forms allow our clinicians to review your child’s background information ahead of time so that your intake and assessment sessions are as effective and personalised as possible.
not sure which assessment to book?
- If you’re uncertain about which assessment best fits your child’s needs, we offer Assessment Consultations with our OT's
- This is a short 50 minute, standalone appointment where a OT discusses your concerns and recommends the most appropriate assessment pathway.
- The consultation has a separate fee to the overall assessment cost, but in some cases, we may be able to credit part of this cost towards your full assessment if you proceed with booking.
ready to get started or have any questions?
We are pleased to inform you that we currently have openings for this package. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our OT's, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact us using the details below or by completing the form on the right. We look forward to assisting you.