OT Definitions
The following is a list of definitions that are commonly used in OT.
Visual Perceptual Skills
Visual Closure
Ability to recognize a shape, object, letter, or word when only part of it is seen, for example, dot-to-dots, photocopy of a page when letter/words are cut off
Visual Discrimination
Ability to tell the difference between objects that differ, for example, square vs rectangle, /b/ vs /d/, uppercase vs lowercase letters
Visual Figure Ground
Ability to pick out objects from a background, for example, Where's Waldo, hidden pictures, scanning a sentence to find the letter /t/
Visual Form Consistency
Ability to recognize the same shape, object, or letter in different situations, /t/ written in the textbook is the same as /t/written on a chalkboard
Visual Memory
Ability to recall the visual image of objects, forms, symbols, and movements, for example, games such as Concentration and Memory
Visual Sequential Memory
Ability to recall a series of objects, forms, symbols, and movements
Visual Spatial Relations
Ability to recognize a shape, object, or letter when presented in different positions, for example, puzzles, block designs, assembly projects
Reversals
When letters, numbers, or words, appear backwards either visually or written
Fine Motor, Visual Motor & Handwriting Skills
Spacing
Between words and within sentences
Letter Size
How big is the letter in relation to lines /writing guidelines?
Legibility
Equation: number of readable words/ total number of written words
Letter Placement
Placement of text; is it on the baseline and within writing lines
Letter Formation
Ability to form letters of the alphabet correctly that conform to a cultural standard; essential as it is needed in order to become an efficient writer and achieve well at school
Reversals
Writes certain letters/numbers backwards or upside down