Mother of four children and specialized educator, author of the bestseller Autism told to children, Karine Bouchard returns this year with a book devoted to dyspraxia, or developmental coordination disorder. This little-known problem, which leads to many complex situations, manifests itself, among other things, by clumsiness, difficulty in making precise movements with the hands and fingers and exhaustion of the child when he returns from school.

This text written with his son, Gabryel, and illustrated by the talented Jean Morin explains in simple and easy to understand words what dyspraxia is and how it affects many areas of everyday life. It is enhanced with tools and tips to overcome many challenges and help children and parents as well as caregivers and teachers.

Karine Bouchard demystifies dyspraxia, which affects 6% of children.

“There are some in every class. Often, teachers know very little about this. However, we adapt, and these are adaptations that do not necessarily cost money and that make all the difference in the life of the child, ”comments Karine Bouchard, in an interview.

“Often after writing a sentence, they are completely exhausted for the rest of the day. And they have to write more than one sentence a day…” she adds.

Motor disorders

How does dyspraxia manifest?

“When children are very young, parents will observe motor difficulties. The child has trouble managing his saliva, he is unable to drink with a straw,” she notes.

“Learning to crawl takes a lot of coordination, and these are the kids who are going to have dragged themselves on their butts, because it was too difficult to crawl. The older they get, the more we will see that it is not fluid when they run. They are not able to do like other children and tie buttons, zips. These are all signs that tell us that something is up and needs to be assessed. »

What should be remembered, adds Karine, is that for a dyspraxic child, in his head, it's a bit like a spider's web whose segments are not connected. “The movement has to be done several times before the connection is made between the two neurons. At some point, the connection is made and it becomes easier for the child. »

This "dissected" learning is as much about holding a pencil, understanding where to put pressure on the pencil, forming the letter, she explains. “These are steps he has to learn. Just placing your fingers is a challenge. Catching a ball, for them, is not natural. Turning a doorknob can be tricky. You have to dissect everything to learn the movements. »

four children

Karine Bouchard, mother of four children, knows what she is talking about. “Gabryel is 14 years old, has autism and dyspraxia. Laurie-Jeanne, who is 12 years old, is autistic and dyspraxic. Édouard has Gilles de la Tourette syndrome and Nicolas is autistic, dyspraxic and epileptic. I hit the jackpot. »

She knew the basics of autism and dyspraxia, as a specialized educator, but she indicates that more training is needed to better understand these issues.

“Gabryel was my finest school. I know what everyday life is like with these children. The key: fixed routines that must be followed to the letter, especially after school, when the children are exhausted.

♦ Dyspraxia told to children is written by Karine Bouchard and her teenager, Gabryel, who has mild ASD.

♦ Karine Bouchard is an educator specializing in rehabilitation.

♦ The duo is also the author of the book Autism told to children, published in 2020 and sold more than 8,000 copies.

♦ They live in the Eastern Townships.