MAINSTREAM SCHOOLING ENVIRONMENTS IN GAUTENG

The incidence of cerebral palsy has remained relatively constant over time. As medical technology advances survival rates of children born prematurely increase. The trend internationally and in South Africa, is to encourage the integration of children with cerebral palsy into society and to embrace and celebrate diversity. This extends to education, where children with cerebral palsy are increasingly being included into mainstream schooling environments. This is not a simple process as cerebral palsy is extremely diverse in presentation and consists of a number of associated conditions other than the well recognised physical impairments. This has a significant effect on children’s ability to participate and be included in mainstream environments. The process therefore requires careful monitoring in order to provide the relevant support and to make changes to the environment The main aim of the study was to establish participation, activity performance and task supports of children aged between four and 12 years in mainstream schooling environments in Gauteng, South Africa. This was then related to the child’s level of impairment