2024-01-25 10:27:40
A recent French study suggests that coordination disorders observed in children suffering from dyspraxia would be linked to a poor representation of their body in space.
What is dyspraxia?
In France, it is estimated that 5 to 7% of children aged 5 to 11 suffer from dyspraxia. These are developmental coordination disorders resulting from a dysfunction of the brain area that controls motor skills. These disorders disrupt the ability of dyspraxic children to perform certain voluntary motor tasks such as writing, dressing or brushing their teeth, etc. Children suffering from dyspraxia thus see their learning hindered.
Dyspraxia is observed more frequently in cases of brain abnormalities linked to prematurity or head trauma, for example. But dyspraxia disorders can also affect healthy children. In this case, it is certain parts of the brain involved in learning gestures that are malfunctioning.
What if dyspraxia disorders in children might be linked to poor representation of their body ? This is what a recent study carried out by scientists from the Lyon Neuroscience Research Center suggests.
Is a poor representation of the body involved in dyspraxia?
As part of this study, the researchers recruited a panel of volunteers composed of:
17 dyspraxic children aged 8 to 12 years old. 20 non-dyspraxic children aged 8 to 12 years. 20 non-dyspraxic adults.
These three groups were subjected to a first sensory experience. Sitting blindfolded, each participant had to guess whether their left hand or foot had been touched and then describe precisely the location of the contact. It appears that dyspraxic children were unable to accurately identify the area of contact on their left hand, unlike children without dyspraxia who made very few errors and adults who made none. As for contacts made on the toes, the results were even lower in the group of dyspraxic children.
A motor experiment was then carried out. Each participant had to place their hands on a screen and raise their finger under which a light appeared. If all the volunteers correctly performed this exercise, the dyspraxic children performed exercises at the same time. involuntary parasitic movementslike raising other fingers.
Read also – A musical game on tablet once morest learning disorders linked to dyslexia
Essential dyspraxia prevention for young children
For the team of scientists, these results favor a poor representation of the body by dyspraxic children whether :
On the perception of different parts of the body. From their position in space. Of the image they have of themselves.
These disorders would prevent them from easily reproducing observed movements.
To overcome these problems and try to reduce the risk of severe dyspraxia, researchers wish to implement prevention actions for young children through a program called EnCor (for “Child and Body”). In January 2024, various workshops will be set up within voluntary nursery schools. The stated objective? Support them in representing their body and stimulate their motor skills through different types of sensory and motor exercises.
Read also – Dyspraxia: towards better care?
Written by Déborah L., Doctor in Pharmacy on January 25, 2024.
Sources
– Dyspraxia is linked to an alteration in the representation of one’s body.www.inserm.fr. Accessed January 25, 2024.
-Understanding childhood dyspraxia. www.ameli.fr. Accessed January 25, 2024.
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