Cerebral Palsy and Physical Education

1. Cerebral Palsy
Barrington Brown
11/26/21
Dr. Griffin

2. What is
Cerebral
Palsy
• Cerebral Palsy is a variation of
disorders that originate in the
brain and affect skeletal muscles.
• It can be pre-natal and post-natal.
• There are numerous causes of CP.
• According to the CDC, CP can be
caused by lack of oxygen at birth,
premature birth, disabilities of
the mother, and more less
common causes.

3. Affects
of CP
• Spastic CP can cause increased muscle tone
which makes muscles stiff and tight. This
makes muscles tight and can bring about
joint pain. Extensive periods with tight
muscles can obstruct normal gate patterns
and natural movements which can cause
inflammation and arthritis
(cerebralpalsyguidance.com).
• Ataxic CP can hinder balance and
coordination. Many people with CP require
canes, crutches, or braces to prevent falls
and support balance.
• Dyskinetic CP can cause uncontrollable
movements that make being still extremely
difficult.

4. CP and IDEA
• Part B of IDEA provides physical, occupational,
and speech therapies free of charge through the
public school system (cdc.gov).
• An IEP is developed by assessing the student’s
abilities to identify goals and accommodations
that will help the student achieve the NASPE
Standards for students with CP.
• Each CP student should still receive instruction
on developing motor skills, basic movement
concepts, identify basic health-related fitness
concepts, and identify the benefits of a
physically active lifestyle (shapeamerica.org).

5. CP and PE • PE teachers must assess a student with CP to
understand which movements and activities they will
need accommodations in.
• PE teachers must make sure they have proper
equipment and take their accommodations into
consideration when lesson planning each day.
• There must be alternate activities that students with
CP can participate in to follow IDEA which is a federal
law.

6. Examples
of
Activities
• Students with cerebral palsy could benefit
from using larger/lighter balls like a beach
ball when playing soccer or basketball
• Students with CP playing softball could
use larger/lighter bats and Velcro friendly
balls and gloves. They could also hit off a
tee if they struggle with hitting a pitched
ball.
• The rules of basketball can also be
manipulated for them by allowing two
handed dribbles and traveling.
• An individual jumping rope with CP may
need assistance turning the rope.

7. Interview
• For my interview, I interviewed my mother who has
lived with Spastic CP for her life.
• In response to what her biggest challenge has been
she stated that staying physically fit and keeping her
heart strong is the biggest challenge because it is
harder to move for long periods and sometimes
painful.
• She stated that when she was in elementary school,
her favorite PE activity was kickball. The pitcher
(coach) made sure to roll the ball slower to her and
she usually either played first base or catcher to limit
movement.
• One of the hardest thing to deal with having CP
according to her is the mental struggle. She stated
that she deals with depression often because of her
constant physical struggles. She said, “It is extremely
difficult watching everyone else run around and do
what they please, and I can’t really do much of any of
that, especially as I have gotten older.”

8. Citations
• Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Gina Jansheski, & Jansheski, G. (2020, March 14).
Cerebral palsy and arthritis. Cerebral Palsy Guidance. Retrieved November 26, 2021, from
https://www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com/cerebral-palsy/associated-disorders/arthritis/.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, December 31). Individuals with disabilities
education act (IDEA) services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November
29, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/treatment.html
• Advanced Solutions International, I. (n.d.). National PE standards: Shape America sets the
standard. National Physical Education Standards-SHAPE America Sets the Standards. Retrieved
November 29, 2021, from https://www.shapeamerica.org/standards/pe/