Cerebral palsy affects movement, posture, muscle tone and coordination. Some children walk independently, while others use walkers, wheelchairs, orthotics or other equipment. Physical disabilities may also affect fatigue, handwriting, speech, feeding, vision, hearing or learning. Support should focus on access, dignity and participation.
Parents may notice delayed sitting, crawling or walking; stiffness; unusual posture; one hand being used much more than the other; toe walking; feeding difficulties or fatigue during physical tasks. Medical and therapy teams can help families understand the child’s needs and plan support.
At home, build independence without making the child feel helpless. Give extra time for dressing, eating or moving from one place to another. Adapt the environment with stable seating, safe pathways, non-slip mats and accessible storage. Encourage the child to make choices and participate in family routines.
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy recommendations can often be built into daily life. Reaching for toys, standing at the sink, carrying light objects, practising stairs or using adapted cutlery may become part of normal routines. Always follow professional advice for safety.
At school, access must be planned carefully. Can the child enter the classroom safely? Reach the bathroom? Join PE? Participate in trips? Sit comfortably? Write or use technology? Inclusion is not only being present in the room; it is meaningful participation.
The teacher, LSA, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and parents should agree on mobility, seating, fatigue, toileting, handwriting and emergency plans. The LSA may support movement, positioning, safety and classroom access, but should also promote peer interaction and independence.
Incluzun LSAs can help children with physical disabilities participate safely while respecting dignity. The right LSA is responsible, practical and empowering. They do not overprotect; they support access so the child can learn, communicate and belong.
Parent Checklist: When to Seek Further Professional Guidance
Disclaimer: This checklist is only a general guide to help parents notice possible traits or concerns. It is not an identification, diagnosis or formal assessment. Only a suitably qualified professional can complete a formal identification or assessment of a child's needs.
Parents may wish to seek further professional advice when several of the following traits are frequent, persistent and affecting learning, daily life, communication, independence, confidence or safety:
☐ Delayed sitting, crawling, standing, walking or other motor milestones.
☐ Stiffness, unusual posture, toe walking or very floppy movements.
☐ Uses one hand or one side of the body much more than the other.
☐ Frequent falls, poor balance or difficulty moving safely around the environment.
☐ Difficulty with handwriting, buttons, zips, cutlery or other fine-motor tasks.
☐ Fatigue, discomfort or reduced participation during physical activities.
☐ Feeding, chewing, swallowing or speech movement concerns.
☐ Needs equipment, adaptations or adult support to access classrooms, toilets, PE or school trips.
If you are unsure where to begin, you can always contact Incluzun for more direction towards the right qualified professional for formal identification or assessment, and to discuss whether an LSA may be suitable for your child.
Research and UAE guidance note: The AAP clinical report on cerebral palsy emphasises early identification, coordinated care and collaboration with specialists.
Incluzun specialises in finding the right Learning Support Assistant (LSA) for the right child. For cerebral palsy and physical disability support, our LSAs work with families, schools, teachers, inclusion teams and therapists so that agreed goals are practised consistently across the school day. The aim is meaningful progress, confidence and independence, not dependence on adult support.
Need LSA support for your child? Contact Incluzun: [email protected] | 056-5000-830.
Remember, inclusion is a journey, not a destination.