Download the Babaoo educational app!
Scan the QR Code to download the app on your iOS or Android device
Scan the QR Code to download the app on your iOS or Android device
The psychomotrician is a healthcare professional who helps people of all ages, and children in particular, to improve their motor skills, coordination, balance and perceptive and relational skills. He is involved in the screening, assessment and rehabilitation of psychomotor disorders. His approach is holistic, taking into account both the bodily, cognitive and emotional aspects of each patient.
In particular, the psychomotrician can play an important role in detecting certain Dys disorders.
It’s a good idea to consult a psychomotrician if your child has problems with coordination, balance, fine or gross motor skills, delayed motor development, difficulties with spatial or temporal perception, or problems integrating body schema. If your child has behavioral or emotional difficulties related to motor and perceptual aspects, this professional may also be appropriate. For language disorders, specific learning problems, or broader emotional difficulties, other specialists may be more suitable.
Interdisciplinary collaboration ensures a comprehensive approach tailored to each child’s specific needs. Trust your GP to refer your child to the right specialists.
Here are a few examples:
Yes, the psychomotrician can provide significant help in cases of ADHD, by assessing and re-educating the psychomotor and behavioral aspects associated with this neuroatypism. By working on motor coordination, balance, spatial and temporal perception, as well as on controlling impulsivity, the psychomotrician helps the child to better structure his or her actions and behaviors.
The psychomotrician proposes activities to regulate motor activity, enabling the child to expend his energy constructively while learning to control his movements. He uses games adapted to cognitive development, and exercises to reinforce attention. He can also be a driving force in teaching relaxation techniques and behavioral strategies to better manage impulsivity, in class as well as at home.
The aim of this meeting is to establish a relationship of trust, gather essential information about your child’s development and answer any questions you may have. The psychomotrician uses this session to observe your child and discuss his or her first impressions in a calm, respectful environment.
During this first session, the psychomotrician will take time to introduce himself and explain his role and the nature of his work. He or she is there to help your child feel good about his or her body and interactions with others.
His role is to make sure that you and your child are comfortable from the outset. His or her priority will be to establish a climate of trust and security.
You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your child’s medical and developmental history, if necessary recalling the pregnancy, birth and first months of life, as well as the stages of motor, language and social development. This will also be an opportunity to discuss any medical or family history.
The psychomotrician will be interested in your child’s life habits, such as eating, sleeping, daily activities, hobbies and social interactions. All this information will help him/her to better understand your child.
During this exchange, you’ll be able to explain the reasons for your consultation, your specific concerns and the behaviors or difficulties you’ve observed in your child. This is a key moment for sharing your concerns.
During this first session, the psychomotrician will observe how your child behaves in this new environment. How he interacts with you and with himself, and how he explores the consultation space.
To better understand your child’s motor and relational skills, the psychomotrician will suggest simple games or activities. These activities are designed to be playful and informal, so that your child feels at ease.
After these initial observations, the psychomotrician will share his or her first impressions with you. This will enable you to take stock of what has been observed. He or she will take the time to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Feel free to express anything you feel is important. That’s what this listening time is for.
The psychomotrician will then explain the next steps and, if necessary, suggest a psychomotor assessment. He will detail the types of activities and tests that will be used, and how this information will be used to draw up a suitable treatment plan.
The objectives of the psychomotor assessment will be specified. The aim will be to identify and target specific needs requiring intervention.
Together, you’ll discuss the organization of future sessions, their frequency and duration.
A psychomotor assessment is a complete evaluation of a person’s psychomotor abilities, carried out by a psychomotrician. This assessment is essential for identifying difficulties or delays in a child’s development, linked to coordination, motor skills, balance, as well as affective and cognitive aspects.
Based on observations and anamnesis, several types of tests can be set up as part of a psychomotor assessment, in order to take stock of the child’s skills and difficulties in different areas:
The psychomotrician then analyzes the results of the tests and observations to identify the child’s strengths and difficulties in the various psychomotor areas. A summary of observations and results is drawn up to determine the child’s psychomotor profile.
The psychomotrician writes a detailed report of the assessment, including recommendations for parents and possibly teachers. If necessary, a follow-up or re-education plan is proposed, with specific objectives and therapeutic activities adapted to the child’s needs.
The psychomotrician may work in collaboration with other professionals (speech therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, teachers) for comprehensive, coordinated care of the child. Additional assessments may then be suggested to these professionals.
Each assessment is unique and tailored to the child, taking into account his or her age, abilities, and specific needs.
To become a psychomotrician in France, you need to undergo specific training and obtain the Diplôme d’Etat de Psychomotricien (Bac +3). Training lasts three years in a training institute approved by the French Ministry of Health.
Here are a few examples of establishments offering this training in major cities:
Psychomotricians must abide by a code of ethics that defines their ethical rules and professional obligations, such as respect for professional secrecy and the need to regularly update their skills.
To practise, psychomotricians must be registered in the ADELI (Automatisation DEs LIstes) directory, which lists healthcare professionals. This registration is proof that their qualifications are recognized by the health authorities.
You can consult the Health Directory, which lists all registered professionals. The site’s search engine lets you type in your practitioner’s name or address directly to check his or her status.
The ADELI number also appears on the psychomotrician’s health professional card. This is a 9-digit code.
