How to Help Students With Cerebral Palsy Write
Cerebral palsy is a permanent condition in which diminished brain function will impair motor abilities. Students with cerebral palsy can range from showing slight tremors and tiring easy to being in a wheelchair and needing modifications, equipment and assistive technology to fully participate in classroom activities. It is important to remember that physical disabilities are not the same as cognitive disabilities and your student with cerebral palsy can achieve academically with the right adaptations.
Things You'll Need
- Adaptive equipment Educational team Assistive technology team Occupational therapist
Instructions
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Evaluating the Student
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1
Ask the school's occupational therapist to do evaluate the student. The therapist will perform a variety of tests to determine the student's capabilities and areas where help may be needed.
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Assemble the educational team. This consists of classroom teachers, aides, parents, therapists, diagnosticians and a representative from the schools's administration. This team will be able to determine the student's needs based on the therapist's evaluations and form a plan to provide the necessary support and obtain any needed equipment.
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3
Contact the assistive technology team. This is a team of specially trained school staff who can best provide the student and teacher with ideas and equipment for academic success. Team members might include the special needs teacher, speech therapist, occupational therapist and others who have received special training in the types of technology available. Modifications can be low-cost and low-tech to expensive touch screen computers, if necessary.
In the Classroom
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Start with the least amount of modifications necessary. These modifications include reducing paper and pencil tasks, using pencil grips, using a table easel for better positioning or allowing the student to answer verbally on tests or give verbal reports.
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Accept classwork written on a computer. Remember that some students also may need modifications to use the computer. Special keyboards and positioning pads are available to help the student maintain the most comfortable and durable writing position.
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Allow extra time to finish written assignments and modify your expectations of the student's writing to fit their ability. Each student is different and expectations shouldn't be the same for all students.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't be afraid of students who are different. Get to know each student as an individual and enjoy their uniqueness.
Always check with the occupational and physical therapists before trying a new position with a student with severe cerebral palsy to make sure the new position is comfortable and beneficial to the student.
