Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder that can cause significant difficulties in regard to a child's ability to control muscular functioning. Most often diagnosed when a child is three years of age or older, cerebral palsy is associated with symptoms that include speech difficulties, inability to dress or eat independently, and difficulty with walking and bodily movement. The majority of children who have CP do not experience mental difficulties, and many of these children are highly intelligent, a trait that encourages placement in the general classroom during the school years.
When deciding that a student with CP would have their interests best served in a mainstream classroom environment, teachers, parents, and therapists should develop an IEP plan that details information on cerebral palsy, the degree to which a child is affected by the condition, and a list of services and accommodations that the school district can provide. Teaching children with cerebral palsy is often an unfamiliar circumstance for a regular education instructor, but with assistance from therapeutic programs and access to modifications in the classroom, students with CP can thrive in a general setting alongside their non-disabled peers.
While a large number of students with CP receive specialized pull-out services such as physical, occupational, or speech therapy, their regular education teachers will still need to ensure that the classroom is organized in a manner that does not create any significant physical obstacles for the child. Because some children with CP are either wheelchair-bound or require walking devices, teachers should set up the classroom so that plenty of space is available for the student to move around the room and to sit comfortably at a desk. Items that may interfere with the safety of a CP child should be placed out of reach. Students who struggle with communication should have the option of using assistive technological equipment in the classroom. Teachers can also modify assignments that require a good deal of writing or request the assistance of an aide or student mentor.
Perhaps most importantly, educators who are responsible for teaching children with cerebral palsy should demonstrate a great deal of emotional support and patience. Encouraging a CP child with positive academic feedback, assisting the student in developing friendships with general education peers, and communicating frequently with parents and therapists are all ways that teachers can inspire confidence and success in students with cerebral palsy.
1. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/teaching-children-with-cerebral-palsy.html
2. http://specialchildren.about.com/od/cerebralpalsy/a/CPschool.htm