INTRODUCTION: Education is a well-being related to health. It is believed that in school children with special needs can achieve the most comprehensive educational progress and social integration. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the need for participation and assistance in performing school tasks in children with cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIALS E METHODS: Thirty children with CP were evaluated through the School Function Assessment (SFA). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann Whitney test, the Spearman correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression analysis backward. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between groups in all parts of the SFA. There was negative correlation between the level of motor impairment and Parts I and II of the SFA and a positive correlation between part I and II of the SFA. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of children with CP in a collective means of participation is difficult and often by multiple disorders of the child. The degree of motor impairment and need assistance in performing physical tasks and cognitive/behavioral together explained 89% of the variability of school participation in children with CP. The need for assistance in performing physical tasks was the most influential factor that accounted for the restriction on school participation.
Cerebral palsy; School function; Participation; Social inclusion
