Effective Teaching Strategies
The variation amongst those with cerebral palsy (CP) is vast. Therefore strategies for teaching are going to look differently based on the severity of individual students' symptoms and needs. A consistent strategy that can be used is to be clear and brief. Most children with CP have difficulty staying focused or being able to follow multiple instructions. If you can limit the amount of instruction to its key points that child with CP will better be able to follow along. The teacher should also use more than one technique to display the instruction (visual, oral, or written) this way the student will have another resource to use, which will free up the teacher to assist more students instead of reiterating the instructions. Children with CP really benefit from structure and routine. Each day the teacher could write the agenda on the board, this way the student would know what was going to come next so they could prepare. CP children need to know what is expected from them and be consistent with those expectations and the consequences associated with them. The teacher should implement "low level cues" with the student such as tap their desk to prepare the student for transition periods and better assist their learning. Some things will take them longer to do and implementing something that can help ease the transition periods will help them and keep the class running smoothly. Teachers should help facilitate their independence making them ask for what they want, this will help them gain confidence and success in their lives.
Other things teachers should keep in mind is helping them build friendships and social interactions. Some children with CP use communication devices to speak, teachers should make sure they have them available during recess and lunchtime. Teachers should also show they other students how it works so students can have conversations. Teachers should teach the class how to play modified games so they can participate in gym and during recess games. (Learn Alberta, n.d.)
Strategies for Specific CP Symptoms (myhealth.alberta.ca, 2010)
Hearing Loss:
1. Talk slower and louder when necessary.
2. Provide visual aids or cues.
3. Look directly at student when having a conversation.
4. Use guided reading techniques to engage students (asking specific questions, using the pictures to guide understanding)
5. Encourage the student to utilize hearing aids, cochlear implants. If the student has them already, make sure you know how they work specifically.
Affected Speech:
1. Recommend speech therapy, or provide if the school has a speech program.
2. Some students have a hard time speaking due to their hearing loss. Look into hearing aids or cochlear implants.
3. Use technology - There are many different programs that will help students. Communication tablets, microphones to project voice, recording devices to review lessons or voice-to-text software.
4. Provide a scribe when extensive writing is required.
Physical Considerations (TeacherWeb, n.d.)
1. Consider the posture and movement abilities of the student. If the student is comfortable they will be able to learn better.
2. Some students with CP might find sitting in a desk to be uncomfortable. Give the opportunity to try out different positions, like sitting on the floor or at a table. Remember that students with CP need to change positions often to prevent muscle tension and pain.
3. Students with CP might experience muscle stiffness, encourage them to stretch and move around as much as necessary. Help the child with head positioning if they need it.
4. Students with CP typically have poor motor skills. This means that they will have issues holding on to things such as pens. Provide students with assistance with these issues, or develop an alternative way to complete assignments.
5. Because of muscle fatigue, students might become easily tired. Allow the student to rest when needed.
Helpful Hints (Bright Hub Education, 2011)
1. Be patient. CP students are going to require more time
2. Meet with their parents. No one knows that student better. They can help with what techniques work at home. How their medication may make them feel. They can be one of your greatest resources if you reach out to them
Work together with the students support team (doctors, speech therapists, physiotherapists, etc. collaboration will be key to come up with the best possible plan for the child)
3. Changing their body position throughout the day. Children with CP get seized muscles and we wont to avoid that
4. Provide positive feedback
5. Help facilitate success and confidence
Other things teachers should keep in mind is helping them build friendships and social interactions. Some children with CP use communication devices to speak, teachers should make sure they have them available during recess and lunchtime. Teachers should also show they other students how it works so students can have conversations. Teachers should teach the class how to play modified games so they can participate in gym and during recess games. (Learn Alberta, n.d.)
Strategies for Specific CP Symptoms (myhealth.alberta.ca, 2010)
Hearing Loss:
1. Talk slower and louder when necessary.
2. Provide visual aids or cues.
3. Look directly at student when having a conversation.
4. Use guided reading techniques to engage students (asking specific questions, using the pictures to guide understanding)
5. Encourage the student to utilize hearing aids, cochlear implants. If the student has them already, make sure you know how they work specifically.
Affected Speech:
1. Recommend speech therapy, or provide if the school has a speech program.
2. Some students have a hard time speaking due to their hearing loss. Look into hearing aids or cochlear implants.
3. Use technology - There are many different programs that will help students. Communication tablets, microphones to project voice, recording devices to review lessons or voice-to-text software.
4. Provide a scribe when extensive writing is required.
Physical Considerations (TeacherWeb, n.d.)
1. Consider the posture and movement abilities of the student. If the student is comfortable they will be able to learn better.
2. Some students with CP might find sitting in a desk to be uncomfortable. Give the opportunity to try out different positions, like sitting on the floor or at a table. Remember that students with CP need to change positions often to prevent muscle tension and pain.
3. Students with CP might experience muscle stiffness, encourage them to stretch and move around as much as necessary. Help the child with head positioning if they need it.
4. Students with CP typically have poor motor skills. This means that they will have issues holding on to things such as pens. Provide students with assistance with these issues, or develop an alternative way to complete assignments.
5. Because of muscle fatigue, students might become easily tired. Allow the student to rest when needed.
Helpful Hints (Bright Hub Education, 2011)
1. Be patient. CP students are going to require more time
2. Meet with their parents. No one knows that student better. They can help with what techniques work at home. How their medication may make them feel. They can be one of your greatest resources if you reach out to them
Work together with the students support team (doctors, speech therapists, physiotherapists, etc. collaboration will be key to come up with the best possible plan for the child)
3. Changing their body position throughout the day. Children with CP get seized muscles and we wont to avoid that
4. Provide positive feedback
5. Help facilitate success and confidence