3. Spina bifida:
Sometimes a baby’s
spinal cord fails to
develop normally
during the first month
of pregnancy. When
this happens, the child
can have a physical
disability called Spina
Bifida.
Hydrocephalus:
Hydrocephalus is a
neurological conditio
n where the normal
drainage of
cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF) in the brain
is blocked in some
way.
4. Spina bifida:
“The cause of spina
bifida is
unknown, though a
combination of
environmental and
genetic factors is most
likely involved.”
Hydrocephalus:
“Hydrocephalus occurs
when too much fluid
builds up in the brain;
specifically, excess CSF
(cerebro-spinal fluid)
accumulates in the
cavities (ventricles) of
the brain.”
5. Children who have spina bifida can experience a
wide range of medical complications, such as:
Partial or full paralysis of the legs
Latex allergies
Bladder, bowel and kidney problems
Eye problems
Fractures
Hydrocephalus
Learning disorders
Seizures
Skin problems
Tethered spinal cord
Weight gain
6. Sonia and her family’s needs
Understand and support, welcoming and comfortable
environment, curriculum activities and teaching strategies
meet her needs, information about the services.
7. Modifications of physical environment:
There are many things to consider such as
Materials
Curriculum
Classroom structure
Physical activity
8. Teaching strategies?
Give her time and space.
Use four strategies:
Stabilize, enlarge, enhance and simplify.
Allow enough time during the transition.
Follow strategies such as: Prompting and
Fading.
Reinforcements.
9. Respectful and good relationship with them.
Understand and empathize with their
feelings.
Provide them information about services
and community resources.
10. Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of
Ontario.(http://www.sbhao.on.ca/useful-links)
The Easter Seal Society - Incontinence Supplies Grant
Program for Children and Youth with
Disabilities.(www.easterseals.org/services/default.asp?l
oad=incontinence)
Assistance For Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD);
Ministry of Community, Family and Children’s Services.
President’s Choice Children’s
Charity(www.presidentschoice.ca)
11. http://babygirlarthur.blogspot.ca/
www.connectability.ca
Professor Chris Cadieux, ECEP-233; Reading package part-1,2,3.
Professor Chris Cadieux, ECEP-233; handout (week-1,2,3,4&5)
http://www.google.ca/search?q=Girl+in+a+wheelchair&hl=en&
newwindow=1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=reo1UZOrH-
jz2QWUl4CYDA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=667#imgr
c=
http://www.gillettechildrens.org/default.cfm?PID=1.17.4.8
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/spinabifida/school-age.html
http://www.sbhao.on.ca/useful-links
www.easterseals.org/services/default.asp?load=incontinence
www.presidentschoice.ca
Editor's Notes
A shunt is a thin tube that's surgically implanted in the brain and used to drain away the excess fluid. Today, this is the best and most effective treatment for hydrocephalus.
The amount of disability that can be caused varies by the level of a defect in the spinal cord.
Sonia and her family are new in this city and Sonia is a school age child. This is an important time for her to become more responsible and independent. She is interested in sports and this is also a good time to start exploring potential lifetime interests such as hobbies, music, or sports. Developing independence can be challenging for her affected by spina bifida. Children with spina bifida often cannot control when they go to the bathroom . It is important to develop a plan for going to the bathroom that works and is as simple as possible. This can lead to increased health, participation, and independence at school and in the home, and avoid embarrassment for her. Children with spina bifida also need to improve strength of the upper body to help with balance; to move or transfer from their wheelchair; to walk using equipment and to propel their wheelchair. So, it is important to understand and support them in every aspect to overcome the challenges and to be independent .
Since Sonia uses the wheelchair, I would like to modify the physical environment to make her feel comfortable to moveMaterials: I can assist the child with tools that may be helpful in learning. Example - Special computer’s keyboard, since the child has low motor skills. I can rearrange the materials to make sure that Sonia is able to reach the materials while being seated in the wheelchair. By modifying the classroom/ building structure making sure there is enough space for the child’s wheelchair to move around in the classroom. I will also add ramp and make sure that elevator and emergency exists are wheelchair accessible.I would create some special curriculum activities for her which help her to develop the fine and grossmotor skills and planning activities should be flexible so that Sonia may use materials and do something with own self.Sonia needs to improve her upper body strength , so I can provide some special physical activities such as; Crawling through tunnels , Crawling over a mat or pillow.Hitting a large beach ball with two hands, Batting a suspended ball with a small plastic racquet. Playing with water pistols or water spray bottles, Playing wheel barrow, etc.
Sonia may have difficulty adjusting and adapting to changes, so teachers need to give her time and space to make her feel comfortable.Four strategies I may use for adapting toys to help her develop independence and to engage her in the activities with peers.By using prompting strategy may help her to demonstrate a desired behavior or skill and fading help her become independent.
I would make a respectful and good relationship with the family so that they can feel comfortable to ask anything about their needs, share their ideas and thoughts or anything we can openly communicate which is essential to help Sonia in her development.Having support and community resources can help Sonia’s family increase confidence in managing spina bifida, enhance quality of life, and assist in meeting the needs of all family members. So, I will give them the information about community resources.
I would recommend that Sonia’s family to visit the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario which is located in 555 Richmond Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3B1. They offer information, resources, emotional support, counselling and networking opportunities. The Easter Seal Society which is located at 1185 Eglinton Ave, East, Suite 706 North York, ON, M3C 3C6 , provides a variety of services to help better the lives of children and youth with physical disabilities, and their families. These services include: financial assistance; diapers and incontinence supplies; information; peer support; independence and life skills. ACSD is located at 477 Mount Pleasant Rd., 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1G1, This organization provides funding that is paid to eligible families and has extraordinary costs, such as respite/relief care; transportation; special clothing, diet and medical expenses; and educational and social fees. PCCC is located at 6220A Yonge St. ,North York, ON M2M 3X4 . This organization offers to help children who are physically or developmentally challenged. They provide direct financial assistance in the purchase of expensive equipment, therapy, and more.
