Cerebral Palsy Michael Slepian SPE 541 – Summer 2015

Cerebral Palsy Prevalence  According to several population-based studies worldwide, there are estimates of Cerebral Palsy effecting anywhere from 1.5 to over 4 persons per 1,000 live births or children who fall within a set age range.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of every 323 children in the United States has Cerebral Palsy.

What is Cerebral Palsy?  According to the IDEA website, Cerebral Palsy is defined as an orthopedic impairment and therefore falls under the following definition: Orthopedic impairment means a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term includes impairments caused by a congenital anomaly, impairments caused by disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures).

Where does this impairment come from?  The primary cause of Cerebral Palsy (CP) is an abnormal development or damage of the brain that, in turn, causes a student to lose muscle control.  A small number of cases are caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain during the process of the birth.  However other cases of CP can occur before, during or even a onth after the birth. Some cases even occur within the first year during the brains development.

Where does this impairment come from? (continued)  CP that occurs before or during the birth process is known as congenital cerebral palsy, which makes up nearly 90% of CP cases.  Some causes of congenital CP are:  Low birthweight  Premature birth  Multiple births  Infertility treatments (assisted reproductive technology)  Infections during the child’s pregnancy  Skin conditions jaundice and kernicterus  Medical concerns from the mother  Various complications during birth

Where does this impairment come from? (continued)  The remaining causes of CP are acquired cerebral palsy and occur MORE than 28 days after the birth.  Causes of acquired CP are:  Infection (such as meningitis or encephalitis)  Injury  Blood flow to the brain issues.

Common Characteristics of Cerebral Palsy  The characteristics vary based on age.  Children with CP less than 6 months will likely  Feel stiff or floppy  Will possibly over extend their neck and/or back looking as though they are pushing away  Their head may fall backwards when picked up  Legs might cross when picked up

Common Characteristics of Cerebral Palsy  Over 6 months old, a child with CP could exhibit the following:  Not rolling in any direction  Unable to bring hands together  Struggling with bringing hands to their mouth  Reaching out while keeping one hand in a fist.  A child who is over one year old might not crawl and might not be able to stand without any help or support.

Educational Implications of this disability  Every case of Cerebral Palsy is different, so the implications vary, but the following may apply to a student with CP:  A note taker, extended time for testing and overall help in writing down responses may be necessary for a CP student with upper body issues.  Assistance in raising the learners hand to answer a question or creating a different cue are both helpful for the student to join in class discussions.  Time added for the student to transition between their classes.  Different seating accommodations, such as a lower table to write and more supportive furniture may be necessary.  Traveling accommodations must be made for field trips

Assistive technology for student with CP  Orthotics – different inserts and braces that are custom fit to a persons need.  The materials, the shape and its overall purpose is tailored to the person wearing the orthotics.  The help to relieve knee and hip subluxation/dislocation, to limit deformities and to help with drop foot (front of the foot drops), just to name a few.

Assistive technology for student with CP  Wheelchair- Chairs with wheels that help assist a person with movement.  They are available as manual or electric depending upon the person/learner using the chair.

Related Services  Students with CP will receive different services both in the school and at home, these include:  Physiotherapy  Occupational Therapy  Speech Therapy  Conductive education (improves movement, improves spirits and creates more independence for the student/learner)  Biofeedback  Neuro-cognitive therapy  Alternative Therapy  Massage Therapy  Threshold electrical stimulation

Learn more at:    Gallaudet University Gallaudet University  Center for Disease Control Center for Disease Control  U.S. Department of Education U.S. Department of Education

References  IDEA - Building The Legacy of IDEA (n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2015, from palsy&GO.x=0&GO.y=0  Data & Statistics for Cerebral Palsy. (2015, January 12). Retrieved July 2, 2015, from  Cerebral Palsy. (n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2015, from o/educate_children_(3_to_21)/students_with_disabilities/cerebral_palsy.html o/educate_children_(3_to_21)/students_with_disabilities/cerebral_palsy.html  Orthotics | Braces, AFOs, and DAFOs | CerebralPalsy.org. (n.d.). Retrieved July 4, 2015, from  Wheelchairs | Mobility | Ambulation | CerebralPalsy.org. (n.d.). Retrieved July 4, 2015, from  (n.d.). Retrieved July 4, 2015, from  Treatments. (n.d.). Retrieved July 4, 2015, from  (n.d.). Retrieved July 4, 2015, from content/uploads/2011/02/LOWER_Extremity_orthotics1.jpg