Handout

=**ED-D 420 IEP Presentation – Cerebral Palsy **= =**February 11th, 2011 **= =**Natasha, Chris, Jordan, Laurence **=

=Diagnosis = Cerebral Palsy is a condition that affects the ability to move and control movements. It results from damage to the brain. "Cerebral" refers to the brain and "Palsy" refers to a lack of muscle control. The damage interferes with messages sent from the brain to the body or from the body to the brain.

=3 types of Cerebral Palsy = * Spastic: Affects movement control. It is the most common type. Muscles are contracted all the time. Limbs feel stiff, making moving difficult. * Athetoid: Affects posture control. Movements are involuntary and uncontrolled. Difficulty holding themselves in an upright, steady position. Sitting and walking problematic. * Ataxic: Affects balance control. Rare form of Cerebral Palsy.

=Ministry Designation = //E.6 Physically Dependent // * completely dependent on others for meeting all major daily living needs * requires assistance for feeding, dressing, toileting, mobility and personal hygiene. => Without such assistance and personal care support, attendance at school would not be possible.

//E.8 Physical Disabilities // * due to a nervous system impairment that impacts movement or mobility. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">* student's functioning and education are significantly affected <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">=> The extent and impact of the physical/medical condition on the student’s functioning are the determinants.

=<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Assessment Methods =

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">As a severe and visible neurological disorder, cerebral palsy will often be diagnosed before the start of kindergarten, and therefore immediately be referred to a school-based team, who will evaluate the assessments made previously by medical and other professionals, in order to create an IEP for the student.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;"> The assessment of a child with cerebral palsy for designation within the school system would include all of the following information provided by the child’s interdisciplinary healthcare team:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">Medical history (including developmental delays in crawling, walking, etc)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">Motor skills, muscle tone, and posture
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">CT to determine if areas of the brain are underdeveloped
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">MRI to find areas of brain damage
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">Intelligence testing to determine developmental delays
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">Evaluation of mother’s prenatal and delivery history
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">Detailed evaluation of child’s abnormalities and behaviours

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">At school, other difficulties may be noted and the school may order testing for learning disabilities, vision and hearing impairment, and speech problems. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">As a classroom teacher, you can observe the student's learning and behaviour and assess the need for additional adaptations for your specific class.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">The most common adaptations that students with CP need are laptops and extra time. If laptops are not permitted, e.g. in a provincial exam, the student may need a scribe. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">It is important to remember that cerebral palsy itself does not affect the student’s intellectual capabilities. Most students with cerebral palsy do not need modifications to the curriculum.