1. A L OOK INTO C EREBRAL P ALSY …

2. W HAT IS C EREBRAL P ALSY (CP)? CP is a disorder of movement and posture. It is caused by a brain injury that may have occurred before, during or shortly after birth. The injury affects the brain’s ability to control the muscles of the body in their natural state. There are 4 MAIN classifications of CP: Spastic, Athetoid, Ataxic, and Mixed.

4. S PASTIC CP #1 most commonly diagnosed type Stiffness or tenseness of the muscles Inaccurate voluntary movements Difficulties in walking and getting around in a daily routine

5. A THETOID CP 2 nd most commonly diagnosed type Floppiness or lack of muscle tone “Normal” intelligence, merely physical Trouble walking, sitting, speaking, facial expressions, drooling

6. A TAXIC CP Least commonly diagnosed type Abrupt, involuntary movements Poor balance Poor coordination Trouble with fine motor skills Tying shoes, buttoning clothes, cutting with scissors May develop a “tremor”

7. M IXED CP Mixed CP occurs when 2 or more of the categories are combined. Mixed CP is quite common. When a doctor is not able to place a child into one distinct category- the doctor will “label” the child as Mixed.

8. W HAT C AUSES CP? o 80 – 90% of diagnosed cases of CP occur BEFORE or DURING birth. o Reasons: neonatal infections, maternal infections, low oxygen levels during birth, stroke due to low blood flow, head trauma during birth, Rh incompatibilities, low birth weight, premature birth o 10 – 20% of diagnosed cases of CP result from brain injuries AFTER birth. o Reasons: meningitis, jaundice, head injury (hard falls and motor vehicle accidents), child abuse…

9. CP & E DUCATION CP is OFTEN, but not always, accompanied by additional disabilities- due to the injury being within the brain. Those who have CP may also have hearing impairments, visual impairments, speech and language problems, emotional or behavioral disorders, etc.

10. W HAT A RE THE O PTIONS ? IEP- Federally funded plan Student must exhibit impairments that effect the ability to learn in school Developed to meet the individual academic AND physical needs 504 Plan- Not federally funded Only provides physical accommodations Does not entitle student to continuous assessments IEP- Individualized Education Plan 504 Plan

11. P OSSIBLE S ERVICES … (IEP) After the student, who has CP, has been carefully assessed- the student may qualify for the following services: Physiotherapy (gross motor); PT Occupational Therapy (fine motor); OT Speech and Language services Adaptive PE instruction

12. W HAT IS P HYSIOTHERAPY ? Nonmedical treatment for CP Uses exercise, massage, heat, and other external means of treatment Aids in developing gross motor skills Walking, sitting, wheelchair use, getting around comfortably with little to no assistance Improves balance and movement

13. W HICH S ETTING IS A PPROPRIATE ? Larger class size Inclusion General Ed. Curriculum Less individualized program More structured and routine Smaller class size With other students who require special services Individualized curriculum Allows time for integrated and “pull-out” services PT OT Speech and Language General Education Classroom Special Education Classroom

14.  No two cases of Cerebral Palsy are the same…  1 in every 278 births results in CP  More than 500, 000 Americans are living among us with CP.  The lifetime cost of a person with CP is well over one million dollars.