According to the latest figures from the French National Authority for Health, there is likely to be at least one child with dyspraxia in every school class. A long-lasting, persistent disorder affecting the coordination of movement, it is often associated with other conditions such as dysphasia, dyslexia, dysorthographia, or ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity). Diagnosed at age 6, Emerick Pacaud is now 17: he is currently in his final years of general education and shares his advice and tools with other dyspraxic people.

Emerick Pacaud’s journey

Véronique Pacaud is a teacher. After encountering dyspraxia through one of her students, she looked into the subject to better support him, and quickly recognised the same difficulties in her own son – particularly with his handwriting. His work was often shapeless and messy.

That’s because this task requires considerable effort for someone with dyspraxia: managing eye movements to break down the word, managing the writing gesture itself, and taking into account two different spaces, the board and the notebook.

Diagnosed at age 6, Emerick Pacaud has the unwavering support of his mother, who doesn’t hesitate to put all her energy into informing teaching staff of his specific needs. The goal is to keep him in mainstream general education, which matches both his expectations and his abilities.

Renan Luce, patron of Dyspraxie France Dys (DFD)

Now regional president of the Dyspraxie France Dys (DFD) association, Véronique Pacaud regularly organises information sessions to raise participants’ awareness of the difficulties faced by people with dyspraxia. Emerick has been joining her for 10 years.

As patron of the association, Renan Luce lets them systematically set up an information stand wherever he performs: at his concerts, Véronique, Emerick and other volunteers welcome the audience and hand out a DFD leaflet. The singer never misses an opportunity to talk with the team and actively help raise awareness of dyspraxia.

Renan Luce even took part in an interview conducted by Emerick, answering his questions and also asking him some, about how he manages his own condition: at 14, he pointed out how teachers frequently confuse dyspraxia with dyslexia, and already described some of the accommodations he used.

A dyspraxic person focused on solutions rather than difficulties

Now 17, Emerick is increasingly involved in the DFD association, keen to share his advice and above all his outlook: “I don’t necessarily want to explain what dyspraxia is, but rather the tools that exist to work around it. We need to show what can be improved, instead of focusing on the difficulties.”[1] For example, he recommends notebooks with coloured lines or editable PDF document editors.

Once diagnosed, managing dyspraxia can involve seeing several healthcare professionals who each offer very specific support, such as an occupational therapist for school accommodations.

[1] Quote: https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/pornic-44210/dyspraxie-le-parcours-du-combattant-demerick-5a759306-d657-11ee-9c76-f2c2ccb23225