Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Moderate case of cerebral palsy

    Posted 07-13-2018 12:22 AM

    Hello everyone, my name is Safaa Elamin, and I am working on my Master degree in Early childhood studies: Administration Management and Leadership. Now I am working on my Capstone about a challenge that faces early cares, and I would like to focus on a moderate case of cerebral palsy. Also, am hoping that all early cares accommodate all children with the moderate cases of cerebral palsy and to establish a system of services and supports by sharing understanding and the meaning of inclusion.
    I would appreciate if you could help and support me with your experiences and resources.


    Thank you,

    Safaa Elamin



  • 2.  RE: Moderate case of cerebral palsy

    Posted 07-14-2018 11:47 AM
    I will have a student this year with cerebral palsy. I figured I would mention some brief things that have been done to help him be successful.  He is in a walker and is nonverbal. I have only heard him say I need help but it takes a lot of coaxing to get it out of him, and it probably would have been difficult for someone who has not worked with a speech student before to understand.  He sees a speech therapist, as well as an occupational therapist a few days a week. I've rearranged the classroom and have even downsized my furniture to allow my room to be more open for him to get around. He requires a special chair to help him sit upright. In preschool he used an iPad as an augmented communication device. He has a full time para to assist him each day.

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    Ashley Houghton
    Kindergarten Teacher
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  • 3.  RE: Moderate case of cerebral palsy

    Posted 07-14-2018 10:24 PM
    Hello Ashley,
    Congratulations! I am excited for you to have an inclusion program and what you did to help him be successful is great. I am working on my Capstone, and I chose a moderate case of cerebral palsy as a challenge that early cares faces. If you do not mind, we can work together and share resources and experiences to help these adorable children to be successful. Good Luck.

    Safaa Elamin
    Pre-K Teacher.

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    Safaa Elamin
    Belvidere IL
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  • 4.  RE: Moderate case of cerebral palsy

    Posted 07-16-2018 12:19 AM
    Hello:
    I'm sorry that I don't have anything to contribute towards your educational goal. Just wanted to comment on the beautiful albino burmese python you are holding.  Good for you for not being frightened!
    peace

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    Florencia Lopez-Poli
    Teacher
    Volusia County Schools
    Ormond Beach FL
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  • 5.  RE: Moderate case of cerebral palsy

    Posted 07-17-2018 11:00 AM
    I had a child with CP in my classroom a many years ago. I was uncertain if our school could accommodate the situation. We rearranged the furniture to allow for her walker. We do have a wheelchair ramp but the child wanted to not use her wheelchair when possible.  I took the attitude of 'let's see what she can do'. The parents were fully supportive of our plan and actually relieved that we were taking a positive attitude.
    It worked out wonderfully! Our classroom embraced this child and it became a wonderful learning tool.  Yes, it entailed a little extra work but it was well worth it!

    Good luck and enjoy the gift being offered to your classroom,

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    Patrice Carlisle
    Director
    Ms
    Sugarloaf CA
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  • 6.  RE: Moderate case of cerebral palsy

    Posted 07-17-2018 02:14 PM
    Hello Patrice Carlisle,
    Your experience with the CP is very emotional. Children with CP can do more than our expectations they need support and to believe in them, and I agree with you it entailed a little extra work. Also, it is both challenging and rewarding.

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    Safaa Elamin
    Belvidere IL
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  • 7.  RE: Moderate case of cerebral palsy

    Posted 07-18-2018 09:30 AM
    ​Good Morning,
    When I was a toddler teacher I had a young girl with cerebral palsy. Her legs wear in braces, she had some eating issues, but she was able to keep up with the class with some help from us. I was terrified that she would get hurt so I went to her outpatient therapy to set up an action plan to incorporate what her therapists did into our daily routine. This helped her immensely because she had that continued care. It also helped me as her caregiver to understand more accurately what she needed to work on. She did know how to "play" people to get out of the exercises she didn't like to do. I formed a loving bond with her and occasionally do get updates. I grew so much as a teacher that year. I also was given permission from her parents to contact the therapists when we hit a bump or two. I think all of us working on the same goals is what truly made the difference for her.

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    Pam Hubler
    Director
    Virtua Child Development center
    Voorhees NJ
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  • 8.  RE: Moderate case of cerebral palsy

    Posted 07-19-2018 02:16 PM
    Always collaboration is a significant tool in our field.

    <yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-video-primary-info-renderer">Five Steps to an Inclusive Classroom</yt-formatted-string>




    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGPDqzhjtj0

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    Safaa Elamin
    Belvidere IL
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  • 9.  RE: Moderate case of cerebral palsy

    Posted 09-16-2018 02:28 PM
    Safaa,

    I know I am chiming in way, way, waaaaay after, however, as a co facilitator of the At Risk & Special Needs IF, It is important that I do check in with you. (I have been on extended vacation.)

    I wanted to know if the responses you got gave you the information you needed. It was impressive that the experiences colleagues shared demonstrated their feelings of success and competence.

    Just a reminder that when considering supporting anyone with a disability of any kind, it is most important to have lots of information relative to THAT person's variation of their disability. Everything has a list of characteristics and symptoms. And each of those has a range stretching from mild to severe. It is the combination of characteristics that give the information required to problem solve interventions and strategies. Thus the reason for specific information relative to that person only. In your case of moderate CP, that might mean what gross and fine motor areas are impacted and how ..... what and how are speech language abilities involved .... and more.

    (1) What is helpful and (2) what is not -- is important information to gather from the family, the child (if the child can participate in that conversation) and other service providers/therapists.

    Excellent resources for thinking about and creating helpful adaptations and modifications are readily available. I particularly recommend using both CARA's Kit and Peat's Suite -- both available from DEC and Cara's is also available from naeyc.

    CARA's Kit - Creating Adaptations for Routines and Activities
    https://members.naeyc.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Action=Add&ObjectKeyFrom=1A83491A-9853-4C87-86A4-F7D95601C2E2&WebCode=ProdDetailAdd&DoNotSave=yes&ParentObject=CentralizedOrderEntry&ParentDataObject=Invoice%20Detail&ivd_formkey=69202792-63d7-4ba2-bf4e-a0da41270555&ivd_cst_key=3df1ba5c-941a-43d9-9243-20563902cb0c&ivd_cst_ship_key=3df1ba5c-941a-43d9-9243-20563902cb0c&ivd_prc_prd_key=6E0321B4-DB38-42A3-AE1E-FABF32CA95B1

    PEAT's Suite - Supporting a Child's Physical Environment and Assistive Tool Journey
    http://www.dec-sped.org/peats-suite

    Hoping this information will be helpful as you continue to pursue your professional growth and development.

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    Mary Wonderlick
    co facilitator
    At Risk & Special Needs Interest Forum
    Chicago IL
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