Supporting People with Cerebral Palsy

Course description

Increasing awareness of cerebral palsy, its causes, effects and related health issues.

This e-learning course is broken down into four easy-to-follow units – an introduction and three study units. The course aims to increase awareness about cerebral palsy, its causes, effects and related health issues. By gaining a good understanding of the condition, learners will be better able to provide the kind of help and support that the people in their care need.

Unit 1: In the first Unit you will receive an introduction to the course.

Unit 2: This Unit identifies the different types of cerebral palsy and explains what it is and what can cause it. Learners will explore the facts and statistics about the subject and identify what the benefits are of an early diagnosis. It is extremely important to have a good understanding of the condition in order to be able to offer appropriate and effective support. Learners will become aware of the many different ways it can manifest itself and appreciate that the extent to which cerebral palsy affects different people varies greatly.

Unit 3: This Unit introduces learners to the medical and social models of disability and helps them identify which model is more suitable for people with cerebral palsy. Learners will understand how physical therapists can provide people with extra support based on their individual capabilities and needs, and considers visual impairments in the context of people with other disabilities, along with effective ways of helping and reassuring them. Finally, this Unit explains person-centred planning and its importance in any support network.

Unit 4: This Unit emphasises the importance of helping people with disabilities to communicate in whichever way they can, based on their capabilities. Learners will look at some of the augmentative and alternative methods of communication which can help people, such as picture books and Voice Output Communication Aids. The Unit goes on to describe communication passports and explain how they are created, maintained and put into practice. Finally, learners are introduced to some of the legislation in place which aims to protect, support and enable people with disabilities to live happy and fulfilling lives.