Children affected with cerebral palsy fall into several categories. Many of them are intelligent and have no problem with comprehending what is said. The area of brain damage determines the nature of cerebral palsy. Some children may find it difficult to think and also cannot comprehend what is being said. When children cannot control the movements of their muscles, they are unable to do what they want. Thus coordination of hands and eyes become almost impossible. When the muscles in the mouth, and throat are affected, swallowing becomes very difficult and speech is also affected.. Drooling can be very uncomfortable and the constant dribble of saliva could produce reactions around the mouth. When children find grasping objects difficult, they are unable to add to their learning experiences in the same way that other children do.

As there is inevitable developmental delay in such children, speech could be delayed and when they talk, it is difficult to comprehend. If the breathing is not controlled properly, then speech is incomprehensible. Some of these children find it very hard to pay attention to others because they have a problem with concentrating and focusing. The result is that they cannot mix freely with the other children and they live a life of isolation and deprivation. As they are not exposed to the real world, they have fewer opportunities to acquire the skills of interaction and working together. Playing is out of question and making friends is virtually impossible. The trauma that such children experience is tremendous. They tend to become shy and withdrawn. When they try to do the things that they see other children do, it is frustrating and most of them do not have the drive and energy to see it through.

External motivation, short stories, infinite patience,  goes a long way in helping these children help themselves. What they need are morale boosters that make them shed their diffidence. The severity of cerebral palsy determines the nature of their needs. Mentally retarded children would need special education in special schools or in a regular classroom with special attention. Children with learning disabilities may have problems with comprehending, speaking, homework, writing or reasoning. Some of them are hyperactive, inattentive and impulsive by nature.

Comprehending simple arithmetical concepts like addition and subtraction requires a very great effort.
To help such children, it is necessary to focus on their strengths, and talk slowly and clearly. Flexibility in schedules and providing opportunities in a supportive ambience helps to increase their sense of self-esteem. Devices like the tape recorder and simple computers can help children with cerebral palsy come to terms with their lives. Coping with such children is difficult, demanding and often frustrating, but in the long run it is extremely rewarding.