Children with dyspraxia struggle to carry out certain voluntary gestures and activities. Affecting 5% to 7% of children aged 5 to 11, this learning disorder results from a dysfunction in the area of the brain that controls motor skills. To learn to compensate for these difficulties, they can turn to an occupational therapist. A closer look at their role, how they support dyspraxia, and how they differ from a psychomotor therapist.
What role does an occupational therapist play for children with dyspraxia?
As a paramedical health professional, the occupational therapist will first gather and analyse the needs of a child with dyspraxia, by having them carry out several situational tests.
Once the assessment is complete, they can propose a personalised support plan. The occupational therapist may use either the “bottom-up” approach, working on the child’s abilities to improve their performance, or the “top-down” approach, to find strategies aimed at helping the child with dyspraxia succeed. For example, in the first case, they might strengthen the child’s balance and muscle strength, and in the second, break down a problematic gesture to help them master it.
Through compensatory or workaround methods, the occupational therapist improves the daily life of the child with dyspraxia: to do this, they may recommend technical aids or adapted equipment. For example, the professional might recommend using a computer at school to support independent note-taking.
Good to know: occupational therapy is not covered by French social security, but it may be covered by your supplementary health insurance. Failing that, you can apply for the AEEH (a French disability education allowance) from your local MDPH (French departmental office for people with disabilities).
What is the difference with a psychomotor therapist?
A psychomotor therapist focuses on the overall motor skills of a child with dyspraxia, working on their balance, coordination, posture and muscle tone.
This perpetually “clumsy” child also often develops significant anxiety, quickly suffering from low self-esteem: with a broad scope of action, the psychomotor therapist can work on rehabilitation across these different levels. For example, they will work on confidence and build a sense of security to encourage the child in their learning, showing the value of effort…
A psychomotor therapist focuses their work on the child’s psychomotor experience (self-esteem, memory…), whereas an occupational therapist seeks to adapt the environment to the child’s motor and cognitive abilities. But both professionals share the same goal: fostering the child’s wellbeing.
Complementary approaches, it is entirely possible to consult both an occupational therapist and a psychomotor therapist, but you should avoid scheduling more than 3 hours of therapy per week, to avoid tiring out the child with dyspraxia. Note that to keep within this limit, it is possible to alternate their care, subject to agreement from both specialists.
