First, let me say it again: it is not possible in the UK to train to be a teacher of children with cerebral palsy.
Second, let me give you an instance of a description of cerebral palsy:
Cerebral palsy is caused by injury or developmental disturbances to the immature brain and leads to substantial motor, cognitive, and learning deficits. In addition to developmental disruption associated with the initial insult to the immature brain, injury processes can persist for many months or years. We suggest that these tertiary mechanisms of damage might include persistent inflammation and epigenetic changes. We propose that these processes are implicit in prevention of endogenous repair and regeneration and predispose patients to development of future cognitive dysfunction and sensitisation to further injury. (Source: Lancet Neurology) - my italics
Just let me run that past you again: leads to substantial motor, cognitive, and learning deficits ... developmental disruption .... predispose patients to development of future cognitive dysfunction ..
The word "patients", of course, is a giveaway that the origin of the description (Lancet Neurology) is rather a medical than an educational one. How much more interesting then is it to find in the description cognitive, and learning deficits ... developmental disruption ... future cognitive dysfunction.
In other words, for the child with cerebral plasy, their 'motor deficit' is intrinsic to who they are and how they see themselves, as learning, developing individuals.
So now what does the DfE have to offer by way of training of teachers of these children? In "SEN and disability skills: Core skills in special educational needs and disability" the official view is expressed this way:
All teachers will have pupils with special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities in their classes and it's essential that they know how to help these pupils fulfill their potential.
Trainee teachers should have the opportunity to develop the core skills that enable them to teach all learners.
And what are these core skills?
- planning and teaching for inclusion and access to the curriculum
- behaviour management, and an awareness of the emotional and mental health needs of pupils (to build their self-esteem as learners)
- assessment for learning (learning skills)
- an understanding of when professional advice is needed and where to find it.
No mention whatever of an understanding of the nature of the disability. Clearly, what trainee teachers (and qualified teachers for that matter) do not need to know is anything useful about the condition that is so integral to the child's personality, sense of selfhood and development as a learner.
What don't teachers of children with cerebral palsy need to know? Anything whatsoever about cerebral palsy.
What, of course, every parent should know about - even if they choose something else for their child - is the system of schooling and upbringing known as conductive education, whose qualified professionals have spent 3, sometimes 4 years in training, gaining an understanding of all that is necessary to the teaching and upbringing of a child with cerebral palsy.
