Ataxia means ‘lack of order’ and is used by doctors to describe problems with balance and coordination. In some cases, people get the symptoms of Ataxia for short periods of time and then recover. Ataxia can also be a feature of other conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy and head injury. Many children will be living with progressive forms of Ataxia. Many types of Ataxia are described as cerebellar ataxias: ‘Cerebellar’ means anything to do with the Cerebellum, a part of the brain controlling movement and coordination. There are many different types of Cerebellar Ataxia and, often, they are hereditary. There are well over 10,000 people in the UK who have a type of Ataxia.
People with Ataxia have problems with coordination and balance. Often people first notice a problem when they realise they have been falling over more than usual, struggling to walk in a straight line or have become more clumsy. As the condition progresses walking may become difficult or even impossible, so people may need to use a wheelchair to get about some or all of the time.
Some types of Ataxia include:
- Ataxia-Telangiectasia This is a type of ataxia that causes other symptoms and has its own charity, The A-T Society. Web: www.atsociety.org.uk Tel: 01582 760 733
- Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) is the most common type of inherited ataxia, mostly affecting children and teenagers; on average, the symptoms start at around the age of 15.
Education Strategies
- Children and young people with Ataxia are all different and will need personalised care and/or equipment to support their specific levels of need.
- Consider accessibility of the school site: is there step free access? Can the child or young person move independently around the site?
- Is the toilet appropriate for the child or young person to use to maintain their health and dignity? Read the Changing Places guide, using the following link to create a suitable environment: Changing Places Toilets (changing-places.org)
- Do they need an Intimate Care Plan? Use our templates to create a policy and strategy for your setting using the following link: Intimate care – Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)
- Do they struggle with fatigue management? It is important to teach the child/young person ways to conserve energy and pace themselves throughout the school day. It may also be necessary to provide a modified timetable and/or allow for rest breaks. The following link provides strategies to support fatigue: Managing fatigue – Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)
- Are there reasonable adjustments for the child/young person? For example, physiotherapy programmes may need to be scheduled into their school timetable. Or they may have medical appointments/surgeries that take place during school hours.