Question
How should language training be conducted for children with cerebral palsy?
Answer
For language training with children who have cerebral palsy, the following methods and suggestions can be adopted:
- Encourage Speaking: When children attempt to speak, engage in conversation with them and express agreement. Even if you cannot understand the entire sentence, nod in acknowledgment and repeatedly teach them to express their intended message. During the training process, always provide praise and encouragement, avoid excessive criticism and reprimands, and help them build confidence in learning language.
- Articulation Function Training: Exercises can include tongue stretching movements, combined with movements of the upper and lower lips, training of the tongue and accessory muscle groups, and blowing exercises to strengthen articulation functions.
- Comprehension Ability Training: Language comprehension training can be conducted, including auditory training (hearing names of objects called by others), visual training (viewing pictures, real objects, etc.), and non-verbal comprehension training (understanding gestures, distinguishing common heard sounds, and clapping to rhythms of music, etc.). The above are some suggested methods to assist in language training for children with cerebral palsy. Each child’s situation will differ, so it is recommended to conduct training under the guidance of a professional doctor or therapist, and adjust the training plan according to the child’s specific circumstances.