To a teacher about cerebral palsy

Hi!

Today we met and you are my first teacher. I have cerebral palsy, so I came in a wheelchair.

Let me tell you about my diagnosis. The word "cerebral" means that the disorder occurred in the brain, and paralysis means that muscle function is affected. I have these movements because my brain doesn't control my muscles properly.

Previously, children with cerebral palsy did not attend regular schools. They went to study to the specialized boarding schools far from home. I will study in an inclusive class.

To help us understand each other better, I'll tell you a little bit about myself.

Tips and ideas to help me become independent:

Special equipment helps me a lot in my development

I use a wheelchair. I can manage it myself, but sometimes I need help.

Make routes with me to everything that is important to me: the cloakroom and the classroom, the toilet and the dining room, the first aid station and the library, to the desk and blackboard in the classroom. I want to drive myself to everything important, meaning that the passageways should be wide enough, and there should be no thresholds at the entrances to all rooms.

Let me do what I already know how to do on my own, even if it takes time: get books, pack my backpack after school, get dressed, and eat. My movements don't look smooth and pretty. Nevertheless, I am efficient and independent.
Like everyone else, I am shy, because a lot of questions are very personal. If you see that I need help eating or going to the toilet, ask me in secret and delicately. Help without anyone seeing. This will be comfortable for all children (and adults :)) who find themselves in an awkward situation and need help. This way we will have more mutual respect in the classroom and less ridicule.

My attention depends on my posture.

I can study if I sit properly. My parents will tell and show you exactly how. I and my friends with cerebral palsy are all very different. Everyone has their own comfortable body position in which they can play and learn.

There are also general principles of comfortable posture.

My hips should be on the seat and my feet should be on the surface. This is often achieved when the angle in all joints is 90 degrees.
My pelvis should be stable and not sliding. Sometimes this requires belts.

It is very important to be able to change the position of the body: lean forward and lean back. Parents and physical therapist will tell you about it.
If the posture is correct, the neck and shoulder girdle will be more relaxed. It will be easier for me to speak and control my hands.
If my posture becomes uncomfortable and I tell you so, you should know that it's not a whim. Help me get into the right position.

Tips and ideas to help me learn.

The inclusive centre will write me an individual development plan. This plan will take into account my capabilities and help choose all the necessary materials for me. To clarify the plan, discuss with my parents what I like, with what I have difficulties, and what results they expect from my studies. The individual development plan will indicate whether a teacher's assistant will appear in our class.
Special money will come to school for me. They are called "subventions". They will come every year. Over time, you will be able to make the school convenient for everyone, with a fashionable universal design. A lowering board, an elevator, a ramp at the entrance, a specially equipped toilet. The quality of my life and the convenience of many adults and children (mothers with baby carriages, people who have difficulty walking up and down stairs) depend on all this.
If I adapt and find a comfortable pen and ruler, a spoon and glass in the dining room, I will be better at writing, drawing, sketching, and everything else. My parents and the physical therapist will select assistive devices. All these things make my capabilities greater and my life better.
I speak slowly, and it is important for me to communicate. PECS cards and a tablet with a special program for communication help me to become an active participant in the class. With it, I will be able to participate in class, ask and answer, request and refuse, express ideas, and do these as quickly as other children.
And also, I like to be active and mobile. Moreover, I will be happy to go to physical education class. For this purpose, exercises should be adapted. For example, sometimes we can all play pioneer ball together instead of soccer. And in relay races, I can perform timekeeping myself.

It's cool to study together because it gives us the opportunity to make friends. I will attend most of the classes with everyone else. In joint lessons, I will do some tasks differently, and they will need to be adjusted to me. I will also have individual lessons (speech therapist, physical therapist...).

I can get tired faster and rest more often (in the classroom or resource room). When I'm tired, I may not concentrate and engage in the lesson, fidget and interfere with the lesson. At first, I will need help and tips on how I can regain my strength at school. For example, lie down on a desk or go to the resource room.

I'm very similar to my classmates: I like some subjects more, some will be difficult, sometimes I'll be lazy and not want to do my homework, and in some tasks I'll be diligent. And then it's important for me to get fair assessments. I will be happy or upset with them, but I will feel equal.

Tips and ideas to help us communicate:

Please address me by name.

Speak clearly, in simple phrases, and pause so that I have time to think about what you have said.

I don't speak as clearly as other children. But I'm learning and trying to do this. Over time, you will begin to understand me better. In the meantime, don't forget about cards and tablet for communication.

Tips and ideas on how to make friends with the kids and parents in our class.

Many parents of ordinary children are against inclusion because:

They are worried that their children will not get along with me and may harm me, push me, for example, by accident.
Some people may think that because a child like me is in the class, the teacher will not have enough time for other children.
And someone thinks that because of me, our class will be weak, and the teacher will focus on me instead of strong students.
Some people even think that their children can get infected from me. You won't believe it, but I know such a person.

To reduce anxiety, we need to get to know each other and determine the rules by which we will learn.

Let's get to know each other. If they wish, each parent will say a few words about their child: hobbies, difficulties, and plans. My parents will tell you briefly about me. They will tell you about my achievements and difficulties, and about my diagnosis, too. There will probably be different children in our class: the naughty ones, the diligent ones, the ones who don't like to study. If this is not a secret, it will be easier for all parents.

Be sure to tell them that I will be studying under a special program and that the general program will not change.

Remember that my parents and other parents believe you. If they see that you understand us well and know how to make friends with us, they will calm down and love our class.

Ideas to help you get to know and start communicating with children in your classroom.

Children aged six to seven believe their parents and imitate their reactions, thoughts, and opinions. Therefore, if adults become friends with me, children will join the company.

Friends are those who play together, not those who study together. Help us start playing. During the break, you can help us talk and play games. I'll also be able to play board games, word games, and other fun things. And I can also be on duty, like all children.

In the beginning, you may want to keep me away from games with my classmates to protect me. But it is very important to determine with my parents the games I can play and the games I should not play.

Then in the future, you can offer me activities according to my capabilities without fear.

When other children ask you what's wrong with me. Tell them that I have cerebral palsy, so I can't walk, I speak in an unusual way, and I have a "super pen." Moreover, if I suddenly have a conflict with other children, remember a great phrase for reconciliation: "We are all different."

I really want to go to school!

Because my friends and neighbours study there. It is much easier for me to settle in here. And over time, thanks to the school, I will get to know many children and adults who live nearby. We can all meet on the street, in a neighbourhood shop, park, hairdressing saloon and clinic. When we see each other, we will greet and smile at each other and help each other if necessary. I think this is what an inclusive neighbourhood looks like :)