Cerebral palsy is a condition that sometimes develops during birth. It happens when the brain doesn’t get proper blood flow or proper oxygenation. This can stall or hinder brain development.
Often, parents won’t immediately be aware that the child has cerebral palsy. They’ll begin to notice that the child is missing milestones, such as not walking or talking when they should. They may also notice things like stiff movements or a muscle tone that seems too rigid. So they may discover the cerebral palsy diagnosis sometime around preschool age. This can make schooling much more challenging.
How can schools help?
Not all schools are equipped to help children who have various special needs. It depends on the staff, the monetary resources, the physical design of the school, the specific needs of that student and many other factors.
That said, students and parents can work together with therapists and educators to create a proper educational plan moving forward. This plan could provide the child with a specific classroom aide, for example, or set up physical therapy appointments that make it easier for the child to move on their own. Over time, the plan may have to be adjusted to focus on the child’s distinct needs.
This can get to be expensive, however. Some parents use an individualized education program (IEP). This can help their child have the necessary funding to get the education they deserve.
If you are in this position, you certainly want to put your child first, and you know how complicated this may become. That’s why it can help to work with an experienced legal team through every step in the process.