Supporting Your Child with Cerebral Palsy at a Mainstream School
I realised how important it was to speak up and share what our child needed—whether that was help with mobility around the classroom, extra time to complete tasks, or being seated somewhere practical. I’ve learned that going into those meetings with honesty and openness makes all the difference.
When our child first started school, I had a swirl of emotions. I wanted them to experience all the excitement of being in a classroom—making friends, learning new things, joining in on all the fun—but I also knew there would be challenges. Parenting a child with cerebral palsy in a mainstream school has stretched us, taught us patience, and given us moments of joy that I’ll treasure forever.
Sitting in Teacher Meetings
I still remember those early teacher meetings where I wasn’t sure how much to say or ask for. Over time, I realised how important it was to speak up and share what our child needed—whether that was help with mobility around the classroom, extra time to complete tasks, or being seated somewhere practical. The teachers really do want to support, but often they just need us to guide them. I’ve learned that going into those meetings with honesty and openness makes all the difference.
Advocating Along the Way
Advocating has become part of our journey—sometimes it’s small things like making sure our child has the right chair in class, and sometimes it’s bigger, like navigating school camps or excursions. I’ve had to find the courage to ask questions like, “Will there be a special beach wheelchair? How can we make this activity inclusive?” At first it felt daunting, but now I see it as a way of ensuring not just our child, but all children, have equal opportunities.
The Joy of Small Victories
What might seem small to others feels huge to us. Watching our child included in a group game at recess, seeing them up on stage during assembly or the school production, hearing stories about classmates helping pack their backpack or handing them a worksheet, because of mobility limitations—those are the victories that bring tears to my eyes. Each time, I’m reminded that inclusion isn’t just a policy—it’s lived out in these precious everyday moments.
Letting Go (Just a Little)
One of the hardest parts has been balancing independence with support. I want to step in every time I see my child struggle, but I’ve realised they need the chance to try things on their own too. Sometimes that means waiting on the sidelines, and sometimes it means quietly working with the school to put support in place behind the scenes. It’s a balance I don’t think I’ll ever fully master, but it’s one that has helped our child grow stronger and more confident.
Looking Back—and Ahead
Looking back, I can see how far we’ve come. The start felt uncertain, but each year we’ve seen our child flourish a little more. There are still challenges—we know there always will be—but there’s also so much joy. To other families just starting this journey: it may not always be easy, but it is so worth it. Your child will surprise you, their teachers will learn alongside you, and their classmates will be better for having grown up seeing inclusion in action.
The first time other parents or school staff said that having our son as the first child with cerebral palsy at school is a blessing to them was a shock. It brought tears to my eyes, because for us, having the opportunity to be in a school who lives and breathes inclusion is a blessing to us.
You can follow more of Audrey’s and Chandler’s cerebral palsy journey by visiting their Instagram page: www.instagram.com/mommyisstilllearning
