Handwriting and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published research on functional handwriting performance in school aged children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).  Handwriting skills were evaluated in 20 children with FASD.  The following results were recorded:

• participants performed below average on the Process Assessment of the Learner, 2nd Edition (PAL-II) measures of handwriting legibility and speed 
• participants performed below average on the Visuomotor Precision subtest of NEPSY, (a developmental neuropsychological assessment) visual–motor precision tasks
• PAL–II measures of sensorimotor skills were broadly within the average range 

The researchers concluded that children with FASD present with functional handwriting challenges  and may have diminished visual–motor skills with increased difficulty as task complexity increases. 

Reference: Cherie J. Duval-White, et al. Functional Handwriting Performance in School-Age Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Am J Occup Ther September 2013 67:534-542; doi:10.5014/ajot.2013.008243