The paradigm shift is radical in three ways:

• practical: it involves checking to see whether there is a mis-match between the writing and the adept (wright) hand. If the mis-match is not found, then it can be eliminated as a co-factor in whatever the presenting problem. If, however, it is found then remedying the mis-match must be considered as part of any problem solution.

• conceptual: it is grounded in a faceted rather than componented  model of the human being. This can be best imagined as a tetrahedral pyramid with physical, intellectual, emotional and social aspects or facets. One implication of this model is that if something is found to be out of kilter with one facet, then on deeper probing something will invariably be found to be out of kilter in one or other of the facets too.

• conceptual: it regards the presenting problem as existing within some or other social context: hence the ‘unit of analysis’ is taken to be the interaction between individuals, and not the individual alone. And, in principle there are three types of interaction:

• mutually beneficial: all parties to the interaction benefit by engaging in progressive problem shifting
• mutually destructive: no party to the interaction benefits because they’re engages in regressive problem shifting
• zero-sum: one party gains / progesses and the other(s) lose(s) or remains static

Testimonials

These testimonials evidence the success of conducting assessments for personal, educational, medico-legal and legal purposes within this radically new paradigm. To repeat, the radical feature is to seek to eliminate  a mis-match between the writing and the adept hand as a co-factor in the presenting problem. If  the mis-match is found to be present  then there is a need to ensure that ‘treatment programmes’  take account of this generally unacknowledged condition.