Education and the Cerebral Palsy Child

Learning difficulties are not inevitable for children with cerebral palsy. Many times cerebral palsy children are only physically disabled, not mentally. Cerebral palsy children often have difficulty with facial movement and speech due to deficiencies in muscular control. Since cerebral palsy often distorts speech and makes facial expressions difficult to read, many people immediately assume the affected person is retarded. In fact, intelligence levels and degrees of learning disability vary in each child with cerebral palsy.
Mainstream and Specialized Cerebral Palsy Education Possibilities

Many privately funded schools specialize in the education of cerebral palsy children. Each use different techniques intended to provide the best education and increased quality of life for children with cerebral palsy. Determining what school regimen will provide the best education for a cerebral palsy child requires careful consideration. It is best to include other health professionals already caring for your child in the decision making process. Specialized schools can be extremely expensive forcing parents of cerebral palsy children to make difficult financial sacrifices.

Fortunately, public policy dictates that children with cerebral palsy have a right to a free, public education. Experts agree that the inclusion of children with disabilities in a "mainstream" classroom provides a positive experience for both the disabled child and their classmates. The cerebral palsy child typically becomes better socialized, while their classmates learn to accept those different from themselves at an early age.

Since cerebral palsy affects each person differently, some children will have the ability to fit into a mainstream class and some will not. Careful evaluation of a cerebral palsy child's mental, physical and academic abilities can help determine what type of educational institution will be most beneficial. Many school districts attempt to mainstream cerebral palsy children as often as possible. However, some school districts are poorly equipped to educate disabled children in mainstream classrooms. Parents should carefully evaluate mainstream schools to insure they are appropriately prepared to provide the best education for their child.
The Role of the State in a Cerebral Palsy Child's Education

Most children with cerebral palsy will need individualized help in whichever educational situation they are placed. States are responsible for meeting the educational needs of children with cerebral palsy. Most work to identify children with challenges and begin early intervention programs designed to help get a disabled child ready for public school.

Many states begin intervention with programs starting with children as young as 3 years old. Program coordinators develop an individualized plan for each cerebral palsy child to aid in addressing the child's special needs. The program will also attempt to help educate the cerebral palsy child's family in other areas of life affected by the disorder. While these services offered by the State are not free, they are usually provided on a sliding scale basis, dependant on family income.

Once a cerebral palsy child reaches pre-school age, the school system provides special education services. Educators develop an individualized education program (IEP) geared toward assessing and meeting each child's particular needs. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, special education and other services, such as speech pathology, are scheduled to help the child's development. Cerebral palsy children are evaluated for future success in either special education classrooms or mainstream classrooms. Levels of assistive technology needs, such as computer programs designed for communication, are assessed as well. All of these services are free to a child with cerebral palsy, as long as they are enrolled in a public institution.