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Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects between 500,000 – 700,000 Americans. Every year about 3,000 babies are born with this disorder and another 500 or so acquire it in their early years of life. What this means for teachers is that we can and/or will be faced with this physical disability in the classroom. Cerebral palsy by definition is a condition caused by damage to the brain, usually occurring before, during or shortly after birth. This disorder is neither curable, progressive nor communicable and can range from mild to severe depending on the child. It is characterized by an inability to fully control motor function, depending upon which part of the brain has been damaged. This can lead to problems in the central nervous system that can cause spasms, involuntary movements, mobility, seizures, abnormal sensations and perceptions, impairment of sight, hearing or speech and mental retardation. This is where, we as teachers, will encounter the use of IEP’s. With early identification and intervention, persons with this disorder can usually begin formal schooling and live fairly normal lives. In the classroom, students with cerebral palsy are usually able to obtain a considerable amount of independence.
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