Understanding the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI) | Sixth Edition

When a child struggles with handwriting, puzzles, or copying from the board, parents often wonder if it’s “just practice” or something deeper. The Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI) | Sixth Edition helps answer that question. At OrbRom Center, this assessment is part of our wider developmental assessment service, supporting families in Phnom Penh who want clear, practical answers about their child’s learning and motor skills.

What Is the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI)?

The Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI) looks at how well a child’s eyes and hands work together. During the assessment, the child is asked to copy a series of increasingly complex geometric shapes. This simple-looking task gives powerful information about:

• Visual perception – how clearly the child understands what they see

• Fine motor control – how accurately they can move a pencil or crayon

• Visual-motor integration – how well the brain coordinates eyes and hands

Because visual-motor skills are closely linked to reading, writing, and classroom tasks, Beery VMI results can highlight early signs of learning difficulties or developmental delays. For many families, it’s a helpful starting point alongside broader tools such as a developmental assessment guide or more comprehensive developmental assessments.

How OrbRom Center Uses the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI)

At OrbRom Center, the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI) is not used in isolation. It is part of a structured assessment pathway designed to give parents clear, jargon-free feedback.

A typical process includes:

1. Background discussion with parents
   We talk about school performance, daily living skills, and any concerns teachers have raised. Sometimes, this leads families to explore broader tools like developmental assessments for children with autism or other top assessments used by professionals.

2. Beery VMI administration
   A trained specialist guides the child through the shapes, ensuring they feel safe and encouraged. The Sixth Edition norms allow comparison with children of the same age, making the results meaningful for families in Phnom Penh and beyond.

3. Clear explanation of results
   Instead of only giving a score, we explain what the results mean for classroom learning, handwriting, attention, and independence at home. When needed, we also connect findings with other tools described in our resources on the importance of developmental assessments.

4. Next-step planning
   If the Beery VMI shows challenges, we may recommend a full assessment package at OrbRom Center or targeted occupational therapy.

From Beery VMI Results to Practical Support

An assessment is only valuable if it leads to action. At OrbRom, Beery VMI findings feed directly into individualized plans:

• Occupational therapy goals
  When visual-motor skills are below age level, our occupational therapists design playful, hands-on activities to strengthen fine motor coordination, pencil grip, and core stability. Families can explore more about our approach through our dedicated page on occupational therapy.

• Support in the classroom
  We collaborate with schools in Phnom Penh to suggest simple adjustments: bigger writing spaces, visual supports, or alternative ways to show learning.

• Monitoring progress
  Beery VMI can be re-administered after a period of therapy to see how much progress has been made, alongside other tools highlighted in our developmental assessment guide.

For parents, the key benefit is peace of mind: they understand why their child is struggling and what can be done about it. For teachers, the Beery VMI offers concrete data that supports better classroom strategies and realistic expectations.

In summary, the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI) | Sixth Edition is a powerful part of OrbRom Center’s assessment services in Phnom Penh. It helps identify underlying visual-motor challenges, guides referrals to developmental assessments, and informs targeted occupational therapy so children can participate more confidently at school and at home.