Handwriting Assessment (DASH)
Handwriting plays an essential role in a child’s learning and communication. For some children, handwriting difficulties can affect confidence, school performance, and participation in classroom tasks. At Rocket Health Services, our Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH) provides an evidence-based way to understand how your child writes, and what supports may help them thrive.
Our occupational therapists use the DASH to assess the speed, legibility, and consistency of handwriting, helping identify whether challenges stem from fine-motor control, pencil grasp, posture, or processing speed.
What Is the DASH?
The Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH) is a standardised assessment used internationally to evaluate handwriting performance in children and adolescents aged 9 to 16 years.
It involves a series of short, timed writing tasks that measure both quality and speed, offering clear insight into how handwriting performance compares to same-age peers.
This assessment is particularly useful for:
-
Identifying handwriting difficulties that impact school participation.
-
Supporting access to educational accommodations (e.g., extra time in tests).
-
Guiding therapy plans to improve fine-motor control and written expression.
What We Assess
During the DASH, your child will complete a series of short writing tasks designed to measure:
-
Writing Speed - how quickly your child can produce legible text.
-
Letter Formation and Legibility - shape, spacing, and consistency of letters.
-
Endurance and Fatigue - how writing performance changes over time.
-
Motor Coordination and Posture - the physical components of writing.
Your therapist may also complement the DASH with other fine-motor or visual-motor assessments to gain a full understanding of your child’s handwriting profile.
Why a Handwriting Assessment Matters
Academic Success: Handwriting is foundational to learning and written communication. Difficulties can affect classroom confidence and assessment performance.
Evidence-Based Insight: DASH results provide objective data to guide therapy and school-based supports.
Targeted Intervention: Results inform personalised recommendations, such as fine-motor activities, adaptive tools, or writing-speed strategies.
Empowering Families and Schools: Reports can be shared with teachers and learning support teams to create coordinated support plans.
What to expect
DASH Appointment
A Handwriting Assessment (DASH) appointment usually takes 60–90 minutes, including assessment tasks and discussion with parents or caregivers.
Following the session, you’ll receive a comprehensive report outlining your child’s results, percentile rankings, strengths, and recommended next steps for therapy or school supports.
Helping Children Write with Confidence
At Rocket Health Services, we understand that handwriting is more than a motor skill - it’s a gateway to learning, expression, and independence.
Our DASH Handwriting Assessment provides a clear, evidence-based picture of your child’s writing abilities, helping them build confidence and perform at their best in the classroom and beyond.