The NEPSY–II (A Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, Second Edition) is a comprehensive neuropsychological test for children. It includes various subtests to assess different cognitive domains, including sensorimotor skills. The sensorimotor domain of the NEPSY-II helps evaluate a child’s motor coordination and sensorimotor integration.
Here are the key sensorimotor subtests included in the NEPSY–II:
Visuomotor Precision
- Purpose: Assesses fine motor control and visual-motor integration.
- Task: The child traces a pathway without going outside the lines, testing hand-eye coordination and motor precision.
Finger Tapping
- Purpose: Evaluates motor speed and coordination, particularly for upper extremity movements.
- Task: The child taps their index finger repeatedly as fast as possible, first with one hand and then with the other, testing motor speed and dexterity.
Manual Motor Sequences
- Purpose: Assesses motor planning, sequencing, and fine motor skills.
- Task: The child performs a series of hand movements in a specific order, testing their ability to plan and execute a sequence of motor actions.
Imitating Hand Positions
- Purpose: Measures the ability to imitate and understand hand positions, testing motor planning and the child’s ability to copy complex motor actions.
- Task: The child is asked to replicate specific hand positions shown by the examiner.
Visuomotor Integration
- Purpose: Assesses how well the child can coordinate visual and motor skills, important for tasks requiring hand-eye coordination.
- Task: The child completes activities that require aligning motor movements with visual feedback, such as copying shapes or drawing between lines.
These subtests provide valuable insights into a child’s sensorimotor functioning, helping to identify potential challenges in motor development and coordination, which can impact academic performance and daily functioning.
