Dyspraxic children have difficulty performing certain gestures and voluntary activities. Affecting 5% to 7% of children aged 5 to 11, this learning disability is the result of a dysfunction in the area of the brain that controls motor skills. To learn how to compensate for these difficulties, they can call on the services of an occupational therapist. Focus on his role, how he treats dyspraxia and how he differs from a psychomotrician.
What role does an occupational therapist play with dyspraxics?
As a paramedical health professional, the occupational therapist will first gather and analyze the needs of a dyspraxic child, by having him/her carry out a number of situational tests.
Once the assessment has been drawn up, a personalized support plan can be proposed. The occupational therapist can use either the “bottom-up” approach, playing on the child’s skills to improve performance, or the “top-down” approach, to find strategies for the dyspraxic child’s success. For example, in the first case, he’ll be able to strengthen his balance and muscular strength, while in the second, he’ll be able to break down a problematic gesture to succeed.
The occupational therapist will use compensatory or bypass techniques to improve the dyspraxic child’s daily life, by recommending technical aids or adapted equipment. For example, the professional may recommend the use of a computer at school to encourage independent note-taking.
Good to know: occupational therapists are not reimbursed by Social Security, but they may be eligible for reimbursement by your mutual insurance company. Failing that, you can apply for theAEEH (Allocation d’Éducation de l’Enfant Handicapé) from the MDPH (Maison Départementale des Personnes Handicapées) in your département.
What’s the difference between a psychomotrician and a psychotherapist?
Unlike occupational therapists, psychomotricians can only work on prescription. He will focus on the dyspraxic child’s gross motor skills, intervening on balance, coordination, posture and muscle tone.
This eternal “klutz” also develops great anxiety, quickly suffering from low self-esteem: with a broad field of action, the psychomotrician can provide re-education on these different levels. For example, he will work on confidence and develop a feeling of security to encourage the child in his learning, showing interest in effort…
A psychomotrician focuses on the mind-body experience of the dyspraxic child (self-esteem, memory, etc.), while an occupational therapist seeks to adapt the environment to the child’s motor and cognitive skills. But both professionals have the same goal: to promote the child’s well-being.
Complementary approaches: an occupational therapist and a psychomotricist can be called in, but you should avoid offering more than 3 hours of rehabilitation per week, as this will tire the dyspraxic child. To meet this objective, it is possible to alternate their treatment, subject to the agreement of both specialists.
