Abstract
OBJECTIVE. We describe the development and preliminary psychometric examination of the DPSQ for identifying drawing difficulties in preschool children.
METHOD. Teachers completed the DPSQ for 78 children ages 3–6 yr from 4 preschools. Children drew age-appropriate geometric forms of the Visual–Motor Integration (VMI) test on a digitizing tablet. We examined psychometric properties of the DPSQ and analyzed group membership.
RESULTS. Internal consistency was high (α = .82). Significant correlations were found between DPSQ and VMI scores indicating in-air time (r = .37, p = .002) and pressure on the writing tool (r = .32, p = .007). The typical and at-risk groups differed significantly in VMI and DPSQ scores, t(76) = 5.6, p = .001. The DPSQ mean score differentiated between 76% of children with and without visual–motor deficits.
CONCLUSION. The DPSQ is a useful tool for teachers and occupational therapy practitioners for indicating visual–motor deficits and potential handwriting problems.
