What is a visuo-spatial assessment ?

The visuo-spatial assessment is a specific assessment which aims to evaluate one’s visual and spatial abilities. It is part of a multidisciplinary care and generally takes place in the context of specific disorders such as dyspraxia, dyslexia, language or cognitive disorders. 

In this article, our COP9 team tells you more about the visuo-spatial assessment, which is carried out by a psychomotrician in his practice.

visuo spatial assessment the evaluation

What exactly is assessed

during a visuo-spatial assessment ?

During the assessment, the professional offers different exercises and tests in order to measure visual abilities, such as the perception of :

  • shapes;
  • colours;
  • distances;
  • proportions. 


It also assesses spatial skills, such as: the understanding of spatial relations, the ability to orient in space or to reproduce geometric figures.

The visuo-spatial assessment may also include tests of visual memory, visual attention and visuo-motor coordination. These tests make it possible to evaluate the cognitive functions involved in the processing of visual and spatial information.


Different psychomotor functions are evaluated using standardized tests, which make it possible to obtain an evaluation of laterality (preference for manual, ocular and pedestrian use), location and orientation in space, visuo-constructive and visuo-attentional abilities.

What are the advantages of a visuo-spatial assessment ?

A visuo-spatial assessment is a specialized assessment which makes it possible to analyze an individual’s visual and spatial abilities, particularly in the context of learning disorders. It makes it possible to identify specific difficulties and to propose educational adjustments or adapted psychomotor sessions in order to compensate for these difficulties.

For example, in the case of  a child with dyslexia, the assessment can highlight difficulties in perceiving letters and words, and therefore direct rehabilitation sessions towards exercises aimed at strengthening these skills.


It is important to underline that this assessment is not limited to the assessment of abilities related to vision. It also makes it possible to take into account the cognitive and perceptual aspects which interact with visual and spatial skills.

visuo spatial assessment which professionals

Which professionals can

carry out a visuo-spatial assessment ?

The visuo-spatial assessment is carried out by a team of health professionals specialized in the field of cognitive rehabilitation and learning disorders. This multidisciplinary team is made up in particular of speech therapists and psychomotor therapists.

The speech therapist can assess oral language disorders and dysphasia. The neuropsychologist, for his part, specializes in the evaluation of cognitive functions and neurological disorders.

Finally, the psychomotor therapist plays an important role in the evaluation of motor and psychomotor functions, such as coordination, fine motor skills, planning of gestures or spatial perception.

As part of the assessment, the psychomotor therapist specifically assesses motor skills and coordination disorders. Thus, carrying out this assessment requires close collaboration between members of the medical team.

These specialized health professionals work together to assess the different dimensions of cognitive and motor functioning, allowing for a more precise diagnosis of learning disorders and academic difficulties.

What happens after

a visuo-spatial assessment ?

Through these tests, the professional evaluates intellectual abilities, memory, attention, visual and spatial perception, and other cognitive functions. The objective of the visuo-spatial assessment is to make a precise diagnosis of possible neurological disorders.


At the end of this assessment, adjustments and areas of remediation may be proposed in order to promote learning and overcome the difficulties encountered by children and adolescents.

In conclusion

The visuo-spatial assessment can be carried out in a multidisciplinary manner, by collaborating with other health professionals such as psychomotor therapists. Following this assessment, there may be specific support. It will take into consideration the neurovisual aspects underlying the motor skills of the child (address, precision, graphics, construction, etc.) which can impact and disrupt learning (dyslexia, dysgraphia,dyspraxia…). The rehabilitation will then be based on the visuo-spatial, visuo-motor aspects,visuo-constructive and visuo-attentional skills of the patient.

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