In dyspraxic children, as in all dys disorders, there are 2 ways to help them: stimulate what works less well and get around the difficulty.

In dyspraxic children, generally, it is better to promote workarounds. Also we must ensure that they do not need to write too much or use tools such as compasses, square rulers, because for them, this complicates things a lot.

They must also be avoided double tasks. For example, a dictation for them is difficult. There are 2 tasks: writing and, paying attention to the spelling. The dyspraxic child is struggling. He may look bad at spelling when in fact he is overly focused on writing. If asked to spell the words, in reality he can be good at spelling. But when he writes, he finds himself overwhelmed with the attention required to form letters and cannot at the same time take care of the spelling.

We therefore try to adapt the exercises. Instead of a dictation, he is given, for example, blank texts with only certain words to write.

In children with dyspraxia, copy and recopy exercises should be avoided. It has no interest. For example, do not ask him to copy the sentence by putting the verb in imperfect. It is better to offer him a text with hole with the hole to be filled by the verb in the imperfect.

A very beneficial tool often for writing without being embarrassed for these children is the computer keyboard. But this is not necessarily the solution in all cases.

However, it should not be put completely on the computer to completely avoid writing. For children suffering from certain dyspraxias, spatial dyspraxias, it is necessary to learn to write from the computer on the hidden keyboard, otherwise, it is difficult for him, because of a problem of loop between what he does and what he sees.

Dr Hervé Glasel