The effect of time on the developmental test of visual motor integration

Studies have shown that many children with learning problems have difficulties of an integrative nature. In addition, these same children often require more time for visual information processing. In this study, the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) was given to children between the ages of 5 and 12 years, the children being categorized into normal and learning problem groups. The forms were administered with and without a time restriction. It was hypothesized that the time restriction would result in lower scores for children with visual motor perceptual deficiencies and learning problems than for those without. Results of the study showed a significant difference with time restrictions for children between ages 5 and 7 years and 9 year-1 month to 12 years. This suggests that within these age groups, timing the test items of the VMI could supply additional information relative to visual motor perceptual development. In the middle age group, the test time appears to be too complex for children with visual motor perceptual deficiencies to complete.