Education & Day Care Programs for Children with CP
A child with cerebral palsy experiences symptoms that usually require special treatment while they’re at school or daycare. This can be a challenge for parents because local public schools and day care facilities do not always have the proper training or tools needed to provide the special care your child needs. Luckily, there are some programs that are specifically made for children who have developmental delays or other physical and mental conditions. This page will help you learn more about what options are available to help give your child the best experience in school and daycare.
Education Programs & Support
One of the most widely utilized services for children with cerebral palsy is the federal program known as the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA was enacted to give rights and protections to children with disabilities and their families. Under this law, disabled children can be given free appropriate public education with the proper special education needed for the child, such as speech therapy or counseling. IDEA covers children from birth all the way through high school graduation or until they reach 21 years of age.
For children 3 and under, IDEA offers early intervention services as well. Early intervention (EI) includes a range of different targeted services to help children with disabilities or developmental delays. Specialists are brought in to work individually with children depending on what needs they have. EI can be a great asset to parents as it helps children catch up to their peers and increases their chances of success in school and life in general. EI is usually administered in a child’s school, but can also take place in a clinic, neighborhood daycare center, or at your local doctor’s office. All of the services given to a child will be free of charge, and any additional services needed may also be given at no cost depending on the state.
Some of the services offered by early intervention include:
To determine whether or not your child is qualified, a health professional will evaluate them and document any delays or disabilities currently present. In some states, even if the child is not currently experiencing delays, the doctor can still recommend EI if they are considered at risk of developing a qualifying condition later on in their childhood. If your doctor is not available for evaluation, parents can call their local EI program directly and ask for a professional to perform one.
After the initial evaluation is completed and your child’s condition has been approved by IDEA, the next step is getting together with your doctor and other specialists to create what’s called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individual Education Plan (IEP). This plan is specifically tailored for your child and their educational needs to outline the services needed from early intervention. After this has been finalized, your child will then be able to start school with the proper accommodations.
For children 3 and under, IDEA offers early intervention services as well. Early intervention (EI) includes a range of different targeted services to help children with disabilities or developmental delays. Specialists are brought in to work individually with children depending on what needs they have. EI can be a great asset to parents as it helps children catch up to their peers and increases their chances of success in school and life in general. EI is usually administered in a child’s school, but can also take place in a clinic, neighborhood daycare center, or at your local doctor’s office. All of the services given to a child will be free of charge, and any additional services needed may also be given at no cost depending on the state.
Some of the services offered by early intervention include:
- Speech Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Social Services
- Nursing Care
- Nutritional Counseling
- Family Counseling
- Assistive Technology
To determine whether or not your child is qualified, a health professional will evaluate them and document any delays or disabilities currently present. In some states, even if the child is not currently experiencing delays, the doctor can still recommend EI if they are considered at risk of developing a qualifying condition later on in their childhood. If your doctor is not available for evaluation, parents can call their local EI program directly and ask for a professional to perform one.
After the initial evaluation is completed and your child’s condition has been approved by IDEA, the next step is getting together with your doctor and other specialists to create what’s called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individual Education Plan (IEP). This plan is specifically tailored for your child and their educational needs to outline the services needed from early intervention. After this has been finalized, your child will then be able to start school with the proper accommodations.
Daycare & Preschool
Finding a daycare or preschool program can be a difficult process for parents due to the limited choices available for special needs children. Despite making great strides in bringing awareness to cerebral palsy and other disabilities, many public daycares and preschools still lack the ability to care for a special needs child. As IDEA becomes more prevalent around the country, this is expected to change within the near future. Unfortunately, since a child must be at least age 3 to receive services from IDEA, parents face additional pressure to find a program that’s best suited for their child.
To find a daycare or preschool suited for special needs, you may need to do in-depth research about different locations to find out which ones are most inclusive and strictly follow ADA guidelines. It may be beneficial to reach out to other special needs parents familiar with the area and get their recommendations for the best place. There are also many online cerebral palsy support groups that could give insight into what kind of services to look for in a daycare or preschool.
You might want to start thinking about what additional equipment or assistance your child would need in a facility to ensure they’re comfortable. Visit each facility and talk personally with the staff to let them know about your child’s condition and what kind of services you’re looking for. If you’re interested in a certain place, eventually bring your child there to see how they feel about it as well. If you’re still struggling on finding an appropriate place for your child, reach out to your local Department of Social Services and ask for assistance.
Ultimately, you may need to compromise on some expectations for a program in regards to overall convenience, but at the end of the day, your child’s safety is the most important factor. Even if the program isn’t perfect, it can still allow staff working there to learn more about special needs children and bring more awareness to the accommodations they require. Stay in close contact with your doctor to keep track of the progress they’re making and how well they’re adjusting to their new environment. While finding the right daycare or preschool can be frustrating for parents, it’s important to remember that you are not alone and many other families are going through the same process. Make sure to reach out to your friends and family for support and, if possible, get them involved in your search.
To find a daycare or preschool suited for special needs, you may need to do in-depth research about different locations to find out which ones are most inclusive and strictly follow ADA guidelines. It may be beneficial to reach out to other special needs parents familiar with the area and get their recommendations for the best place. There are also many online cerebral palsy support groups that could give insight into what kind of services to look for in a daycare or preschool.
You might want to start thinking about what additional equipment or assistance your child would need in a facility to ensure they’re comfortable. Visit each facility and talk personally with the staff to let them know about your child’s condition and what kind of services you’re looking for. If you’re interested in a certain place, eventually bring your child there to see how they feel about it as well. If you’re still struggling on finding an appropriate place for your child, reach out to your local Department of Social Services and ask for assistance.
Ultimately, you may need to compromise on some expectations for a program in regards to overall convenience, but at the end of the day, your child’s safety is the most important factor. Even if the program isn’t perfect, it can still allow staff working there to learn more about special needs children and bring more awareness to the accommodations they require. Stay in close contact with your doctor to keep track of the progress they’re making and how well they’re adjusting to their new environment. While finding the right daycare or preschool can be frustrating for parents, it’s important to remember that you are not alone and many other families are going through the same process. Make sure to reach out to your friends and family for support and, if possible, get them involved in your search.