http://www.scope.org.uk/help-and-information/cerebral-palsy-and/drooling-and-cerebral-palsy

has specific advice relating to children with cerebral palsy.

Hemiplegia means Cerebral Palsy affecting one upper and one lower limb on one side.

Paraplegia indicates lower limbs are affected by Cerebral Palsy.

Diplegia indicates the Cerebral Palsy has a major involvement of lower limbs and minor involvement of upper limbs.

Quadriplegia indicates all four limbs are affected by Cerebral Palsy.

Monoplegia indicates the Cerebral Palsy impacts one limb only.

Monoplegia indicates that the Cerebral Palsy has affected only one limb.

• Spastic cerebral plasy occurs when the cerebral cortex of the brain is damaged.
• Nerve fibres descend from the cerebral cortex to the limbs and damage to the cells/ nerve fibres result in spastic paralysis.
• Students with spastic cerebral palsy tend to have very tight muscles.
• As students grow older their muscles become shorter and this can lead to deformities of the limbs, spine and pelvis.

• Athetoid cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the basal ganglia (large collection of cells located in the central part of the brain).
• Muscles change from floppy to tense and this can result in many uncontrolled body movements.

• Encourage pupil to use weaker side in activities, sports and play.
• Monitor posture- position pupil to face the teacher/ whiteboard.
• Minimise distraction– position away from door/ aisle.
• Sit squarely with weaker arm on the table.
• Sit with feet flat to support posture.
• Use dycem matting / blut tac to stop papers, books sliding on table top
• Loose paper maybe easier than exercise books.
• Supporting staff member should sit alongside not in front of.
• Provide squared paper in Maths—easier to line up columns.