Parents of children with cerebral palsy will have many concerns once it is time for them to enter preschool. Preschool special education programs come in many different varieties and are staffed by many different professionals. The public school system in the community may provide segregated services or it may have funding to offer an inclusive classroom setting. Benefits of attending a regular classroom with peers are many.
It will be important for parents to speak with teachers and staff about the special needs of the child with cerebral palsy, as well as discover whether or not the program emphasizes activities that match with your child’s skills and abilities. Having a discussion with the child’s therapist and medical doctor will also be imperative before any decisions are made.
Children With Cerebral Palsy – Questions Parents Should Ask Preschool Teachers
Children with cerebral palsy may have many symptoms and health issues that are important to consider before they are enrolled in any preschool program. Characteristics of cerebral palsy may include issues with speech, hearing and vision. There may be issues that restrict the affected child from participating in physical activities. Kids with cerebral palsy may also suffer from seizures, digestive and breathing problems.
There are so many questions that parents should ask a preschool administrator or classroom teacher about the preschool program before deciding to enroll a child with cerebral palsy. Here are ten questions to get the conversation started:
- How many children with special needs attend the preschool?
- What transportation will be provided to students with special needs?
- What is the student-to-teacher ratio in the regular classroom/special needs classroom?
- What types of special education teachers and therapists are on staff?
- What training do regular preschool teachers receive that relates to special needs?
- What is the preschool curriculum primarily focused on?
- What is the preschool philosophy (Montessori, traditional, multi-age, etc.)?
- What will the typical preschool day look like?
- How often do children get assessed or screened for learning issues?
- Are parents welcomed into the classroom?
Meeting the Needs of a Child With Cerebral Palsy
Making sure the accommodations are there for your child’s need should be a concern for every parent of a kid with cerebral palsy. Children who have hearing issues, for instance, should be able to use assistive technologies for hearing impairments, such as FM devices and cochlear implants. If a preschool teacher is unaware of how to use these items, does she seem willing or interested to incorporate them into the classroom?
Children with cerebral palsy in the classroom who have sensory integration issues should be made to feel comfortable in the classroom. Is there an occupational therapist on staff at the school? Is the classroom set up in such a way as to accommodate a child who is sensitive to sound? Does the teacher seem willing to vary lessons to appeal to all of the senses?
The nonverbal or speech-impaired student with cerebral palsy will require speech therapy and accommodations in the preschool classroom that might include a sign language interpreter, recording devices and communication boards. Kids with physical disabilities may need to be able to maneuver in wheel chairs or other assistive walking devices. Parents will need to keep this in mind when visiting the preschool classroom.
Perhaps the single most important thing to look for when parents are choosing a preschool program for kids with cerebral palsy is a positive, tolerant classroom environment. Children with cerebral palsy are just children like everyone else. They need to be encouraged, supported and offered the same opportunities to learn. The right preschool will provide a special needs child with positive experiences and a chance to develop into productive, fulfilled grown-ups.
Karen Plumley - Karen Plumley is a writer specializing in parenting and education. She works for Parenting NH and the Hippo, NH's most widely read ...
