Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that develops in the tender years of the child within the first three years. The disability has permanent impact on the child’s muscle coordination as well as body movements. The cause leading to this state is damage to areas of the brain controlling the functions. It should be kept in mind that the individual suffering from the disability does not have mental disability and can actually be extremely intelligent.
Darius Johnson may improve with time if taken care of with caring hands. The family members should be extremely supportive of their ward and need to provide continuous encouragement and love. They along with the teachers can bring the ray of hope for the child. An IEP would provide that scope to Darius Johnson for a better future and possibilities of betterment in the disability. The IEP should include accommodations and services that the institution would provide for the child.
Teaching Methods
The teacher should be considerate and flexible in making considerations when it comes to the question of curriculum. The teacher should have belief in Darius’ ability to learn well. It has to be understood that Darius may at times feel frustrated for not being able to communicate and frequently misunderstood. As such, he should be encouraged all the time and a correct distinction should be there regarding his misbehavior and expressions due to his disability.
Speech
His teaching should be done collaboratively with the involvement of speech clinician, instructional aide, physical therapist, family. Both his academic and therapeutic ambitions should go hand in hand. He should be encouraged to refer to objects through speech.
Environment Requirement
Darius’ comfort with his physical posture would in turn enhance his receptiveness to studies. He must change his positions in every 20-30 minutes. It must be considered since he has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, he might have problems with orientation or focusing on a target. Darius should be assisted in proper head positioning as that would help his normal arc view to see the teacher. If he becomes fatigued due to muscle tightness, he should be allowed to rest or take naps. The environment is a very important factor in his development as a child who would tread on a way toward betterment.
Development
The usage of multisensory learning material, which includes audio-visual, tactile materials, should be used for his study. This would develop his ability to grasp hand-size objects. He should be encouraged to participate in discussion and arguments with the help of speech and writing (through an aide or speech-to-text software). He should be allowed time to respond to a question and should be asked open-ended queries. The interaction with teacher and peer plays a huge role in the communication and learning of the ward. He should be included in group social activities so that he may succeed socially. Learning activities for the sake of educational value and not evaluation should be introduced for Darius. Thus, he can do much better in his educational pursuits and develop over time with the proper enhancing of the capabilities of his cognitive system.
Curriculum
Specific curriculum should be constituted keeping his needs and also his inputs should be taken into account while making the curriculum. He should be allowed to have his choice in selecting study topics. His interests and skill level should be understood. The curriculum should be structured to allow Darius to experience success and thus show his capability.
Recreation Therapy
Recreation is a very important aspect of life and any individual with cerebral palsy should engage in such activities like any other child. Therapeutic recreation would thus enable Darius in gathering the physical, mental and social experiences and in the longer run would help him in activities like planning, strategizing, performing. This would also ensure his emotional well-being beyond doubt. His physical and cognitive capability would enhance over time while participating in such activities. Sports like hockey, soccer have got modified so that people on wheel chair can also play. An innovative custom-designed sled is used to play hockey. He may take part in bowling. He should be made to participate in swimming too. It would give him the free movement which he does not find on land. His respiratory would also improve due to swimming. Cold water increases muscle tone, while warm water decreases the tone. So, the pool’s temperature needs to be known suiting his muscle tone.
Art and Cultural Pursuits in Regards to Recreation
Darius can be extremely benefitted by organized painting teachings. He should use vibrant colors in this regard. This process is known to build crucial neurological connections. He should be encouraged to create artworks using assistance. He can participate in dance recitals. All this would lead to the strengthening of adaptive equipments and modified movements.
Cerebral Palsy Support Groups
Certain support groups exist to aid in the process of the development of the children who suffer from cerebral palsy. I am proving website resources that have links to such support groups which are committed to serve to the best of their ability.
- http://www.cerebral-palsy-faq.org/resources/support-groups/
- http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/cerebral_palsy/groups-motorimpairment.html
- http://www.cpconnection.com/typescp/supportgroups.htm
- http://www.cpec.org.au/
Kindly refer to them and you would be able to know the details.
Thus, Darius Johnson can be rendered improvement in the condition and at the same time his educational pursuits would also develop. He can and will get better with time. He just needs a caring hand to guide him through the journey to a better future—when he would be proficient in converting his disability into his strength.
