For individuals with Cerebral Palsy early intervention in early childhood is paramount. A child’s learning is the best tool in ensuring they have positive experiences later on in life. Assistive technologies can help in learning new skills and behaviours that endorse independence.
Manual and Powered Wheelchairs
Some people need assistance to move from one position to another. In Rachael’s case, she requires assistance with mobility and uses a wheelchair to participate in daily activities. Using a wheelchair, whether manual or powered can have many benefits to an individual’s life. They provide independent mobility, allowing them to be mobile without relying on caregivers guidance and participate in social and learning activities (Cerebral Palsy Alliance, 2016).
Walking Aids
Walking aids are very useful in helping individuals with Cerebral Palsy move around as they offer movement support and assistance to get from one point to another. For Rachael, being able to move around at school with ease and to participate in activities will be beneficial to her learning needs. Walking aids help to gain upper body strength, coordination, are adjusted to accommodate a person height and are easy to store at the school and at home (Stern, 2016).
Communication Aids
Alternative-Augmentative Communication (ACC) refers to a communication system that is designed to help an individual’s speech. By using an ACC, individuals will be able to take part in everyday life, participate in learning activities and be able to communicate effectively. In the classroom, students may use picture dictionaries, daily and weekly schedules, communication boards or books and speech generating devices (Cerebral Palsy Alliance, 2016).
HandiWriter
A handiwriter is an elastic writing aid that is placed around the wrist and a pencil to ensure correct placement when writing. This enables a firm grip on the pencil and proper position of the hand. This is beneficial to use in the classroom as it increases sensory feedback and encourages the student to get grasp for using their writing skills (Independent Living Centres, 2011).
Orthotics
Orthotics are an external support or brace applied to the body, such as a lower limb cast and are valuable in the aid of helping individuals walk, stand or use their body more comfortably. Orthotics are beneficial as they improve gross motor skills such as running and jumping, which will be useful when students are participating in sporting activities (Cerebral Palsy Alliance, 2016).