Effective and High Quality Education for People with Cerebral Palsy - Research Paper Example

? Education Disorders are normally affecting the regular learning processes in schools, as both teachers and the find it difficult to integrate students with various disorders into the mainstream education system. Among the many disorders that affect school going children, Cerebral Palsy constitutes to one of the most common. Cerebral Palsy is comprised of different types, which among them is Spastic Cerebral Palsy that accounts to more than 80% of Cerebral Palsy cases. Given the variations of these disorders, it usually essential for the teacher and the entire school systems in conjunction with parents, to identify the disorder and evaluate the type of attention and the education system appropriate for the child. This may include either mainstream or special education system. In addition, the type of school system will be dependent on the needs of the child. The purpose of this paper is to define the disorder by discussing different dimensions that are pertained to it and the education system. Definition of the Cerebral Palsy disorder According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Cerebral Palsy disorder is a type of neurological disorder that manifests in the infancy stages and early childhood, enduringly affecting body functions and muscle dexterity such as moving limbs. This type of disorder does not get any worse overtime, but the conditions remain relative the same. The name Cerebral Palsy is derived form part of the brain that is affected, which is the cerebral cortex that is directly concerned with motor and muscle movement. On the other hand, palsy is a medical term that refers to the loss of motor function (NINDS Website). Therefore, Spastic Cerebral Palsy is the type that causes one or more groups of muscles to tighten, thereby limiting physical movements. This type of condition renders children incapable of effectively controlling their movements such as moving from one location to another of holding items. Causes According to the NINDS, an array of researches carried out by NINDS scientists provide an understanding to the events that are suspected to cause and lead to Spastic Cerebral Palsy Disorder (SCPD). The following causes account to more than 90% whereas the remaining percentage is associated to birth complications such as asphyxia (deprivation of oxygen). First, NINDS and other researches indicate that injury to the brain’s white matter may lead to SCPD. When the brain’s white matter is damaged, it makes it difficult for the brain to communicate signals to the entire of the body, given that this is its primary function (white matter). Secondly, when the brain of an infant or child develops abnormally, it presents the child the potential risk of acquiring SCPD. Disruption to the normal growth of a fetus brain such as genetic mutation and conditions such as infections and traumas among others can cause SCPD. Lastly, bleeding in the brain as a result of rupturing of blood vessels, which are caused by external forces during the early years of a child, can lead to SCPD. This bleeding may end impairing the cerebral cortex, thus affecting the motor function a child. Prevalence As stated earlier, SCPD is the most common type of cerebral palsy and is indiscriminate of social- economic status, race or gender. However, various studies and researches such as the one done by the Institute of Health Science in England in the 1970’s and 1980’s indicate that the rate of prevalence is higher among the children who weigh less than 1.5 kilograms. This research was conducted in Europe among 14 centers in13 geographical regions. A similar study conducted in 1970’s and 1980’s in Atlanta by Winter et al (2002), indicate that the prevalence rate was high among infants with less than 1.5 kg, although, within the same period, there was high increase of SCP cases among the normal weighed children. Therefore, these researches imply that SCPD is prevalent among infants and more specially those who are low weight of less than 1.5kg. In the US, about 5000 infants are normally disorganized with the disorder. Range of impairment and/ or Functioning SCPD has a wide range of impairment for the patient(s). There are those who have a severe case of SCPD to the extent where their entire body movement is affected. Others cases of SCPD are mild and only affect one or two body parts such a hand(s) or leg(s). Therefore, the extent of impairment that is observed is inversely proportional to the functioning of the body. This is to say that, those with severe cases of SCPD are more likely to be limited in their functioning; where as, those with mild cases are more likely to be more functional in their movements and holding objects. SCPD subtypes Under the SCPD, there are about three subtypes that are categorized according to the extent and location of the disorder. SCPD subtypes include Spastic hemiplegia, Spastic diplegia and Spastic quadriplegia. Among the three, Spastic quadriplegia is the most severe, whereas Spastic hemiplegia is the least severe. The former affects almost the entire body from legs, hands to the face. In most cases, it is usually associated with mental illness and retardation, as it is caused by extensive brain damage. This case is so severe to the extent that walking and speaking is normally a serious difficulty for the patients. Impact of SCPD in a person’s lifespan SCPD affects and impacts different people differently according to the severity of the condition, support and attitude among others. The most severe cases of SPCD such as Spastic quadriplegia will have an immense and negative effect on children and adults who have the condition in the process of achieving their goals. It will take a lot of effort and treatment to achieve one’s goals such as sports and carrier with this condition. In fact, for this serve case, it will be next to impossible to have a carrier or participate in any form of physical sport. However, for the mild cases such as Spastic hemiplegia that affects one or two parts of the body, it will be very much possible to achieve personal dreams and milestones such employment and participating in games. This is will be facilitated by support form family, friends, school system and the provided laws that prohibit against discriminating people with disabilities. Prognosis of a child with SCPD Making prediction on the likely outcome or the future of a child/adult with SCPD is a painstaking activity. It is exceedingly difficult to ascertain the likely outcome because for the children, they are continually growing up and based on the extent and subtype of the disorder, the outcome might vary. However the likely outcome of the disorder is that it untreatable and does not degenerate. Therefore, coming in terms with it, accepting it, getting support from family and friends, accessing treatment and therapy are the only outcome for a child or adult with SCPD. In addition, adapting to ones condition is best and most likely outcome for the person with SCPD. Experiences of a child or student with SCPD Children or students with SCPD normally undergo exceptionally harsh experiences, especially with their peers, since they usually succumb to teases, insults and being made fun of. This consequently leads to emotional issues and low self esteem especially for teenagers. Other than their peers, children or students who receive little or no support either at home or at school, normally end up with difficulty in integrating into the general society. This is, they are unable to earn, run family errands, and engage in different activities such as hanging out with friends and shopping among others. On the other hand, some of them end up getting particular attention and treatment to the extent that they fail to learn new things for themselves. In general, children or students with SCPD experience a harder and different life and growth compare to the normal children. Ways which the disorder affects the student in school The disorder affects the way the student socializes with other students and teachers, the way he or she participates in Physical Exercises (P.E), the way he or she participates in extra curriculum activity, the manner in which he or she goes to and from school and above all, the way he or she handles classes. This implies that the disorder affects virtually all aspects of the student’s school life. However, the extent to which the disorder affects the student is dependent to the widespread of the disorder. For a student who has a mild disorder, his school life will be less interrupted and affected. Assistive technology will only be required for children with moderate SCPD, and especially that affects speech and communication of the student. The teacher should be provided this by the family or school in order to provide the student with better access to the school curriculum and learning process. Such assistive technology may include Human computer interaction that will enhance communication between the affected student and the teacher also with other students. The things that the teacher needs to know about the student with the SCPD include; first, type of disorder and it’s widespread. Secondly, to inform the rest of class about the student’s condition and what is expected of them. Thirdly, to ensure that there is communications lines are open between the teacher, the school and the family. Fourth, to equip the classroom with objects and furniture that facilitates easy mobility and, finally, to uphold the interests of the student and treat him or her as normal as possible. Mainstream or Specialized education curriculum The choice between specialized or mainstream education is highly dependent on the extensive of the disorder. For students with mild and moderate cases of SCPD, it recommended that they attend the mainstream education curriculum in order to ensure that they have a normal life as much as possible. This should be done to ensure that they do not feel any different as the other children, and this will build on their poise and self esteem. On the other hand, children or students with a severe case of SCPD it is recommended that they be provided with a specialized education curriculum. This is because their needs are unique and require more attention and specialized personnel. In addition, due to their condition, they can not be integrated with other children because this will get in the way of their development and the development of other children. Conclusion From the above discussions, it can be concluded that Cerebral Palsy disorder and more specifically Spastic Cerebral Palsy is a common disorder that affects a majority of children and adults in America. The degree to which it varies presents a massive challenge to educators, since, this requires different levels of attention and needs. By identifying what the disorder is and its different aspects, it makes it easier for the teacher to establish the right kind of education curriculum and attention the student needs. If this is achieved, it usually leads to a better growth and development of the child in his or her childhood and adulthood. References Institute of Health Science (2002). Prevalence and characteristics of children with cerebral palsy in Europe, Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 44, Pg 633-640. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/health/archive/ph_information/dissemination/diseases/docs/perinatal1 0_en.pdf National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2009). Cerebral Palsy: Hope Through Research, NIH Publication No 10-159. Retrieved from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/detail_cerebral_palsy.htm#179343104 Winter S, Autry A, Boyle C& Allsopp Y M (2002). Trends in the Prevalence of Cerebral palsy in A Population-Based Study, Pediatric, Vol 110, issue No 6, Pgs 1220-1225. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/110/6/1220 Read More