INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT OF USE
The ABC Movement is a standardised test developed to assess movement difficulties in children and adolescents aged 3 to 16, in the absence of brain injuries. It is widely used by occupational therapists working in paediatric settings, both in clinical and school environments.
The tasks are structured with increasing difficulty according to age, ensuring an assessment appropriate to the child’s motor development. This tool helps identify and quantify motor difficulties that may affect the child’s school and social participation. It is useful both for screening purposes and for more in-depth individual assessments, determining the level of motor ability through a variety of tasks. The test also makes it possible to monitor motor difficulties over time, providing an objective parameter to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic or rehabilitative interventions.
STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
The test consists of two main components.
The first is direct observation, in which the child performs specific performance tasks, allowing the assessment of motor abilities in a controlled context. These tasks are designed to be standardised, simple and engaging.
The second component is an observational checklist, completed by an adult who knows the child well and has had the opportunity to observe their everyday motor activities.
This dual approach provides a comprehensive view of motor development, including both measurable abilities and real functional competence.
The tool assesses three main areas—manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and balance—through age-appropriate tasks:
Manual dexterity:
This section assesses hand and finger coordination and precision through tasks such as placing pegs, threading cubes or beads, and completing pencil-based paths. Its main aim is to measure fine motor control and object manipulation skills.
Aiming and catching:
This section evaluates the child’s ability to coordinate vision and movement using one or both hands. Tasks include throwing objects towards a wall, catching with one or both hands, and throwing items into a target. It measures throwing accuracy, catching skills and motor control in tasks requiring hand–eye coordination.
Balance:
This section assesses postural stability and body control during static and dynamic activities. Children perform tasks such as standing on a balance board on one leg, walking forwards or backwards heel-to-toe, walking on raised heels, or performing targeted jumps. This part of the assessment observes postural control, whole-body coordination and motor adaptability.
CONCLUSIONS
The ABC Movement 2 is a valid and practical tool for assessing the fine and gross motor abilities of children and adolescents, supporting occupational therapists in identifying needs, defining targeted goals and monitoring intervention effectiveness.
Results are always integrated with medical history, ecological observation (home/school), family interviews and, when appropriate, additional scales and functional assessments.
Correct use requires standardised administration according to the manual and appropriate training, while considering possible confounding factors (language, culture, attention, fatigue).
Sharing results with the family and school, translating them into concrete goals and planning regular follow-ups helps turn the assessment into a coherent, measurable and participation-centred rehabilitation pathway.
