School & Education

Three kids (age 9) sitting at their desks smiling
Overview

Inclusion involves carefully assessing a child's needs and then implementing a strategic plan to support that child within the general classroom setting.

Ensuring that a K-12 student (and beyond) with cerebral palsy accesses their educational environment successfully is a top priority for most families.  Learning the ins and outs of IEP’s, 504’s and inclusion strategies involves carefully assessing a student’s needs, technology requirements, working with teachers and administrators and developing the most appropriate plan possible to help the student reach their highest potential in the least restrictive environment. A variety of accommodations addressing the classroom, testing, vision, communication, school activities and other considerations may be needed for the student to achieve their full potential.

Inclusion is best practice. It is also, quite simply, the right way to teach.

Contributors
Anne Purky
Writer, producer, storyteller and mother of a 22 year old with CP
Debbie Fink
Vice President of Education and Inclusion at the Cerebral Palsy Foundation
Dr. Dawn Deike, DO
Attending physician in the Center for Rehabilitation at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Karen Janowski, MSEd
Adjunct Professor, Graduate School of Education, Simmons College; Assistive Technology Consultant, EdTech Solutions