Daughter been diagnosed with mild Cerebral Palsy

Sam_Spends_Too_Much

My 5 year old daughter has just been diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy. I've since surfed thro the net and found out quite a few things, but I'm not sure on what to do with her school.

Her paediatrician has confirmed that the CP definately affects her legs but needs more information before she will include her arms and mental ability. Since speaking to her school and working with her at home, its obvious that she can barely write her name and recognises none of the basic words from the Oxford reading tree flash cards. When she was in reception class, her teacher used to say that she lacked concentration and wasn't trying. I'm beginning to think that maybe it wasn't her fault. She is now year 1 and is very behind compared to her class mates.

I know she only has a mild form, but as every parent will know, our children are the most precious things in our lives and to hear that she has CP was quite a shock!!!

Does anyone have any knowledge or suggestions on my way forward with the school?? At the moment, she does have some one on one help but should she be statemented?? I have absolutely no idea on the criteria for this and as I'm seeing the SENCO next week, I need some up to date info.

My thanks in advance, for any help anyone can offer xxx

Trix

Hi - my daughter is nearly 8 years old and was diagnosed with CP at 9 months (although I knew a lot sooner).
You may first get School Action or school action plus. I'm suspecting you've got School Action at the moment, as that is where your child has been identified as needing extra support. School Action Plus is where outside services and specialist are requested.
The next step is a statement - this will lay out all her needs and make sure she has the best resources to access the curriculum if School Action and School Action Plus are not enough. The process takes around six months.
Is her problem with writing or recognising letters? My daughter recognises letters and some words, but not the number she should at her age, and can't write but can spell words on a computer. A statement may suggest using a computer alongside perservering with writing.

CONTACT A FAMILY and SCOPE have information on statementing or THIS site seemed straight forward with lots of FAQs

Are you claiming DLA, carers allowance etc? If not, make sure you do.

I'll dig out some more information - I've got plenty! PM me if you have any other questions.

Savvy_Sue

You've already had good advice and links from Trix. If you feel that your daughter needs statementing and you are struggling with the process then IPSEA may also be able to help.

I do hate it when teachers say a child doesn't concentrate or try. I suspect that very few young children deliberately fail to concentrate or to try hard. They usually want to please and to do well. At least now you know your daughter has specific problems and hopefully that will help!

Prudent

Does your daughter receive occupational therapy? It may be that she has weak hand control and therefore finds it difficult to write her name. You could ask for an OT assessment. The OT will provide exercise to strengthen her hands.
Tracing over a child's name really helps. Write it clearly on plain paper. laminate, and give your daughter wipe off pens to write over her name. Finger painting, writing her name in sand, making it with play dough will all help reinforce the shape and order of the letters in her mind.

Ask your class teacher if a programme called Clicker 4 or clicker 5 is installed on the classroom computers. It allows children to Click on words in a grid on the bottom half of the screen. The words can have pictures if required and/ or the computer can say the words. When the child clicks a word it appears on the top section of the screen. This will allow your child to 'write' with her peers. Clicker 4 also comes with Oxford reading book programmes. This will support your child's reading and help her learn the names.

Quackers

Ive had lots and lots of help and advice from this site.

It may help a bit : http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/

Hope all goes well for you.

katglasgow

Hi it might be worth finding out about Boabth therapy too. I used to work as a fundraiser for Bobath Scotland - its a specialist form of therapy developed just for cerebral palsy that combines physio, occ therapy and speech and language. In Glasgow there is a particular problem in that there arent enough NHS therapists to go round so time is limited and tends to be cobncentrated on the more severe cases, we found that a lot of the "mild" cases were therefore overlooked - particularly if they are actually in mainstream education. Bobath therapy works with NHS therapy so its just something extra you might want to look into: https://www.bobath.org.uk or https://www.bobathscotland.org.uk