Assessing handwriting readiness with the WRITIC assessment

📄 You can download the full simulation scenario in your preferred language below:

🧩 Simulation Overview
The Writing Readiness Inventory Tool In Context (WRITIC) assessment is an occupation-based tool designed to evaluate handwriting readiness in 5- to 6-year-old kindergarten children. It is intended for use during the pre-writing phase, particularly with children for whom teachers have concerns about handwriting development. It is recommended to administer the WRITIC assessment approximately 5 to 6 months before the start of formal handwriting instruction.    This scenario includes three video recordings of the assessment being administered to three different children. Students are required to observe one of the videos and complete the scoring based on their observations. The results and analysis are then discussed during the debriefing session. 
Modality: Digital Student roles:
Student roles  Number of students  Extra information 
Occupational therapist     
Participant     
Other simulated participant Please specify in extra information     
Observer  4  Participants divide into groups of four and watch the simulation together. 
  Learning outcomes:
Learning outcomes (simOT Framework) 
 
Domain A: Knowledge and attitudes supporting OT competence   
Domain B: Managing and conducting OT process  B.2. Occupational therapists demonstrate competencies in managing and conducting the occupational therapy process    B.2.1. Occupational therapists assess occupational participation in all areas of human occupation (e.g. personal care, daily living, work/study/school, play, leisure and rest). They:  Analyse, interpret, and clearly communicate assessment findings 
🛠️ Preparation for the Simulation
Prerequisites:
Competencies  Specific description of prior knowledge, attitudes and skills 
DOMAIN A. Knowledge and attitudes supporting occupational therapy competence        A.2. Occupational therapists possess knowledge about occupational therapy:      Process of occupational therapy (occupational therapy assessments; goal-setting approaches; intervention strategies, methods and equipment targeting person, occupation and/or environment; outcome evaluation; documentation)     A.5. Occupational therapists possess general medical and professional knowledge about:        Human anatomy and function of the human body        Human development (physical, psychological, social)    Knowledge and skill for observing and analyzing performance during standardized test administration.           Knowledge of protocol and scoring procedure for administration of the WRITIC 
📦 Actions and Materials
Action  Materials 
Upload video recordings to the digital learning platform or VR system  (360°) video files, video files, VR-compatible content 
Make drawing books from the three children available online  Scanned drawing books 
Ensure access to WRITIC materials for students  WRITIC manual, score book, score form 
Test technical setup for video/VR playback  Computer, VR glasses, internet connection 

Learning objectives (observable behaviour) 

 

Domain A 

 

Domain B 

  • Student can describe the protocol for conducting the WRITIC assessment. 
  • Student can describe the protocol for scoring the WRITIC assessment. 
  • Student observes and analyses child’s performance during assessment.  
  • Student records observations and scores in the scoring booklet.  
  • Student makes general conclusions about the child’s readiness for writing based on observation and assessment results.  

Name 

N.A. 

Sex 

N.A. 

Personal factors 

5 year old child 

Reason of contact between OT and simulated participant  

Does the child have sufficient pre-writing skills?