Meet Isabella
Isabella is a sweet little girl with a shining personality. She was born from a full-term pregnancy and spent her first week in NICU where she was diagnosed with a Neonatal Stroke affecting the left side of her body. Isabella also has Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy and a Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI). She has high muscle tone and is non-verbal with limited mobility.
Isabella joined our Early Intervention Group aged one year ten months where she attended sessions with mum for 1.5 years before moving up to our Nursery group in 2025 where she currently attends twice a week. Although Isabella has only been attending our Nursery group for a short time, she has shown incredible progress.
Her startle reflex is strong, meaning loud noises and sudden movements can cause an involuntary motor response – a quick extension of the limbs and neck away from the body. Due to this, Isabella requires a calm and consistent environment and time to settle and adjust during transitions.
Beyond Limits
Isabella is observant, and her CVI does not deter her from checking out what’s going on around her! She cleverly tracks the bucket toys, engages with objects on contrasting colours which help her visual attention and fixation, and reaches for our tactile objects of reference.
Physically, Isabella has shown great determination and endurance – she can maintain her stool sitting whilst wearing arm gaiters and lifting her head with minimal manual facilitation at her shoulders for support. Isabella can play in four-point kneeling position with the support of a roll beneath her, leaving her hands free to explore and play.
Isabella takes advantage of her stronger side, using her right hand to reach, touch and choose. She will grasp onto a fork, and – after we’ve put food on it – she’ll bring it to her mouth independently!
She can maintain her cross-legged sitting on a wedge with a bench in front of her for support, with close adult supervision from an adult. In standing positions, she’ll actively push up through her legs, weight bearing on both sides with support at her hips to aid her balance.
We’ve seen her personality shine through – she loves bouncing on the bouncy castle, shaking her bells, and cuddles! She loves music – you’ll often find Isabella signing ‘more’ when we’re singing our songs.
The Importance of Time
The things we take for granted – moving our arm to hold a cup of tea, getting in and out of a chair, walking to another room – do not come easily to children with Cerebral Palsy.
That’s why Conductive Education is so vital; facilitating an active learning process to help children learn new movement patterns and skills that can be implemented in different contexts. Through the use of Rhythmical Intention, we repeat the intention for the movement, allowing time for the brain to hear it, process and internalise it, and then consciously focus on and carry out the intended action.
Imagine if every interaction you had were like Amazon drivers at Christmas – a parcel dropped and the driver halfway down the road before you’ve had time to open your door.
Time is of great importance to allow Isabella the opportunity to respond.
With time, Isabella will move her right hand to make choices between two pictures or objects, such as when choosing an instrument to sing ‘hello’ with.
With time, Isabella will move a leg forward to initiate taking a step in the walker.
With time, Isabella will track a light-up toy with her eyes.
Time allows repetition and practise to occur, learning to happen and confidence to grow. Keep shining, Isabella! We can’t wait to see what you will achieve in this next year!
