ABSTRACT
This chapter stresses the importance of physical functioning as it relates to children with disorders of the nervous systems. Many teachers and administrators maintain inappropriate attitudes and misconceptions about neurological disorders as well as about the child’s ability to achieve age-appropriate physical and motor skills. They can develop the program based on relevant knowledge concerning fatigue, medication, diet, and physical activity in conjunction with the input from the motor performance team. Cerebral palsy can be described as a group of neurological disorders that originates in infancy or early childhood and is characterized by weakness, paralysis, lack of coordination and motor functioning. Children with cerebral palsy are generally less active than their peers and rely too much on mechanical devices for ambulation. Several factors can contribute to developmental or acquired central nervous system damage, including birth disorders, trauma, infections, fevers, severe illness, brain tumors, head trauma, or injury.
