How to Teach Children With Cerebral Palsy
If you are teaching a child with cerebral palsy, it can take an extra amount of patience and strength, because he has extra needs that other children may not have. Children with cerebral palsy may have mental difficulties, as well as physical and speech delays. In order to teach them effectively, teachers must often work together with a team of educators and therapists.
Things You'll Need
- Handicap-accessible classroom Handrails Physical therapist Occupational therapist Speech therapist
Instructions
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Evaluate the child's mental capacity by talking to his parents and by previous teachers, and by looking over school records. If it is possible, place the child in a regular education classroom, so he can challenge himself academically and his classmates can get the chance to socialize with someone new.
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Make your classroom handicap-accessible by adding handrails, if necessary, and widening aisles for a walker or wheelchair. Arrange to have the child sit up front, in case he needs assistance, due to vision or hearing problems. Be patient, and realize that a child with cerebral palsy may need extra time to concentrate and finish her work. Find creative ways for your students to work together in groups and discuss ideas about a chapter they read.
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Focus on and improve the child's physical skills and movements. Arrange for her to meet with a physical therapist, which will, especially in the early years, strengthen the muscles in her arms and legs to help her walk better, with and without a walker. The therapist will help her learn how to throw and catch a ball, climb stairs, or jump up and down. Teachers may try to add to these exercises and skills by only asking the child to do activities with two hands vs. the weakened arm.
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Arrange for the child with cerebral palsy to see other therapists to continue his improvement. He will see an occupational therapist to learn daily living skills, such as how to tie his shoes, dress himself, or zip up his jacket. The therapist will also do exercises that will strengthen his arm and wrist muscles, which will help in fine motor activities. He should also see a speech therapist, who will help him speak more clearly the sounds that are giving him a hard time.
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