FOR SCHOOL-AGED STUDENTS · IN PERSON · MELBOURNE
For some students, handwriting makes it much harder to show what they know. They write slowly, tire quickly, struggle to keep their writing legible, or find that written tests take far more effort than they should. A focused OT assessment turns what is happening on the page into useful, practical information for the student, the family and the school.
$550private assessment and written report
No referral needed. We'll reply within two days.
Focused OT assessmentNot just a test score
Standardised DASHWhere clinically appropriate
Written reportFindings and practical recommendations
IS HANDWRITING GETTING IN THE WAY OF SCHOOL?
A handwriting assessment may be useful when a student writes much more slowly than classmates, struggles to finish written work or tests, has writing that becomes hard to read, or gets tired or sore with longer writing. Many can explain their ideas clearly out loud and still get far less onto paper.
Class tasks and tests run out of time before the ideas run out. Homework that should take twenty minutes takes an hour.
A hand that aches, a grip that tightens, writing that falls apart across a page. Sustained writing costs more than it should.
Letters, spacing and size that drift, so teachers mark what they can read rather than what the student knows.
A student who can explain an answer in a sentence but gets a fragment of it down. The gap between verbal and written output is often the clearest sign.
Difficulties that were manageable in primary school become visible in Years 9 to 12, when assessments are longer and timed.
A student who increasingly types because handwriting limits what they can take part in, and whose school needs clearer evidence of why.
The assessment looks at the whole picture first. Where a standardised measure will add something useful, it is included; where it will not, we say so and focus on what will help.
WHAT WE ASSESS, AND WHAT YOU RECEIVE
Our occupational therapist looks at the student's handwriting performance, their experience at school, and the functional impact handwriting is having on learning and assessment. Standardised results are read alongside what we observe and what you and the school tell us, never on their own.
What you and the school have noticed, when it started, what has been tried, and any relevant diagnoses or supports already in place.
Where it is appropriate, we observe the student writing in a school or functional setting, so the assessment reflects how handwriting actually works for them, not only how it works in a quiet room.
In person · at home or at school where suitableDASH administration, scoring and checking, where a standardised measure will add something useful to the picture.
The OT brings the history, the observation and any standardised results together into a clear account of what is happening and why it matters at school.
You receive a written OT report explaining the findings, with practical recommendations for school and home, and, where the findings support them, recommendations about educational adjustments the school may wish to consider.
Handwriting difficulties become particularly noticeable when students begin longer, timed written assessments.
For secondary students, the assessment provides objective clinical information about handwriting and its functional impact. Where appropriate, the report can include recommendations for adjustments the school may wish to consider, such as additional writing time, the use of a computer, rest breaks, or a scribe. Any recommendation depends on what the assessment finds.
For VCE students, the report may form part of the supporting evidence a school provides when it seeks special provisions. Seeds OT assesses the student and provides clinical evidence and recommendations. The school manages the application process, and VCAA makes decisions about VCE special provisions. We do not determine eligibility, and an assessment does not guarantee a particular outcome.
For students who already have significant handwriting difficulties, assessment in Years 9 to 11 gives the student, the family and the school time to understand the difficulty, trial strategies and plan appropriate supports before the demands of senior secondary school increase. Earlier documentation also means the school understands the student's functional needs well before it matters most.
THE PRACTICAL DETAILS
Standardised handwriting evidence needs proper assessment conditions and the chance to observe the student writing, so this assessment is carried out in person rather than by telehealth. We see students at home, or at school where that is suitable and the school agrees.
Our therapists work across different parts of Melbourne. If a home or school visit involves travel outside our usual areas, we'll tell you the travel charge before you book.
PRIVATE FEE · AUD
Assessment, interpretation and report
The fee covers the background and history, observation where appropriate, DASH administration and scoring where clinically appropriate, occupational therapy interpretation, a written report, and practical recommendations for school and home.
For NDIS participants, the assessment is billed as occupational therapy time at the current NDIS rate rather than the flat fee. We'll confirm the expected hours with you before you book. We work with self-managed and plan-managed participants.
Transparent pricing, no hidden extras. Any travel charge is agreed with you first.
A FEW COMMON QUESTIONS
If your question isn't here, include it in your enquiry.
The Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting is a standardised assessment used to examine aspects of handwriting speed and performance in school-aged young people. It is one part of the assessment, read alongside observation and the student's experience at school.
No. It is for school-aged students where handwriting is having a meaningful functional impact, from upper primary onwards. Assessment during Years 9 to 11 is often useful, so that supports can be planned before senior assessment demands increase.
No. Seeds OT provides assessment findings, clinical interpretation and recommendations. The school manages the application, and VCAA makes decisions about VCE special provisions.
Yes. The $550 private package includes a written OT report with findings and recommendations for school and home.
Where the findings support it, the OT can recommend appropriate adjustments. The school, VCAA or another responsible organisation makes the final decision.
No. Standardised handwriting evidence needs appropriate assessment conditions and direct observation, so this service is delivered in person.
Often, yes. Observing the student in a classroom or functional setting is part of the assessment where it is appropriate and the school agrees. Tell us in your enquiry if you'd like the school involved.
No. Tell us what you and the school are noticing. If the student has relevant diagnoses or existing supports, include them in your enquiry so the assessment can build on them.
BOOK AN ASSESSMENT
Send an enquiry with the student's year level, their school, what you're noticing about handwriting, and whether the request relates to VCE or special provisions. We'll reply within two days.
Book an assessment$550 private · in person · Melbourne
