Teaching Methods
It is recommended to put children with cerebral palsy in regular schools and classrooms unless physical disabilities or mental development make is impossible. Just as every child with a learning disability require their own Individualized Education Program, every cerebral palsy student will have their own needs and goals to be met.
Studies have show that children with cerebral palsy will have better success when they enter school if they have recieved physical, occupation, and speech therapy before starting kindergaten. Physical therapists can teach children with cerebral palsy to learn better ways to move and balance. Occupational Therapists teach children better ways to use their hands, arms, and upper body. Speech and language therapy teach children to speak more clearly, speak in sentences, improve their listening skills, or how to use sign language or communication aids (posters with pictures/ words) if necessary. |
It is important for educators to keep in mind that cerebral palsy students that do not have any degree of mental retardation, only have a physical disability. Intellectually, they are capable of learning like any other student in the classroom and should be taught and engaged in the same ways.
Teachers can help these students learn by creating lessons that use audio, visual, and tactile methods.
Teachers can help these students learn by creating lessons that use audio, visual, and tactile methods.