Dysgraphia and dyspraxia (DCD) assessment: tools, framework, and structure
Psychomotor assessment for dysgraphia and dyspraxia (DCD): tools (BHK, M-ABC, NP-MOT), prescription framework, diagnostic caution, and report structure. Template to download.
Countries covered : France
Dysgraphia and developmental coordination disorder (DCD, formerly dyspraxia) are among the frequent reasons for a psychomotor assessment. Performed under medical prescription, this assessment objectively documents the disorder using standardised tests and contributes to a diagnosis that remains medical and multidisciplinary.
This page details the framework, tools, and report structure, and offers a template to download.
The framework: assessing without diagnosing alone
Dysgraphia and DCD: what are we talking about?
- Dysgraphia is a persistent disorder in the execution of handwriting that affects writing quality and speed (transcription speed).
- DCD (developmental coordination disorder), formerly known as dyspraxia, impairs the quality and organisation of motor movements. It affects about 5% of school-aged children.
Assessment tools
The assessment combines quantitative analysis (standardised tests) and qualitative analysis (clinical observation):
- Graphomotor skills / writing: BHK and BHK-Ado: legibility, stability, speed.
- Gross and fine motor coordination: M-ABC.
- Psychomotor development: NP-MOT.
- Associated neuropsychological functions: NEPSY-II, visuospatial tests (e.g., Laby 5-12).
The choice of tools depends on age, complaints, and the prescription.
Dysgraphia / dyspraxia assessment template to download
Report structured by domain (graphomotor skills, coordination...), ready to fill out. Access the PDF by entering your email address:
The structure of the report
- Identification and prescription. Patient, prescriber, date, reason.
- Clinical history. Developmental, school, and medical history; complaint and impact.
- Behaviour during testing. Cooperation, fatigability, strategies.
- Results by domain. Graphomotor skills (BHK), coordination (M-ABC), other tests, quantitative and qualitative.
- Summary. Profile, weaknesses and resources, linking with the clinical history.
- Cautious conclusion. Evidence supporting dysgraphia or DCD, to be integrated into the medical and multidisciplinary diagnostic process.
- Plan and recommendations. Areas of intervention, coordination with other professionals and the school.
Saving time on writing
Formatting results by domain and writing a cautious summary is time-consuming. Start with a fixed template, standardise your phrasing, and dictate your observations right after the session.
This is what Delta does: you capture your observations via live note-taking or post-session dictation, and the tool generates a structured report based on your template, with longitudinal patient memory from one assessment to another. HDS hosting, GDPR compliant.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between dysgraphia and dyspraxia (DCD)?
Dysgraphia is a persistent disorder of handwriting (quality and speed of writing). DCD, formerly dyspraxia, more broadly impairs the quality and organisation of motor movements.
Does the psychomotor therapist diagnose DCD?
Not on their own. The diagnosis of DCD is medical and multidisciplinary; the psychomotor therapist assesses and objectively documents the disorder, and their report contributes to the diagnostic process.
Which tools are used?
The BHK and BHK-Ado for writing, the M-ABC for coordination, the NP-MOT for psychomotor development, as well as neuropsychological tests as needed.
Does the assessment require a medical prescription?
Yes. The psychomotor assessment is part of a prescribed framework.
What does the report contain?
Identification and prescription, clinical history, behaviour during testing, results by domain, a summary, a cautious conclusion, and a plan for recommendations.
Cut the time spent on your reports in half
Delta generates your psychomotor assessments from your live observations or dictation.
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