Teacher’s Guide: Early Elementary (K-2nd)
What is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain, causing pressure on the brain. There is no cure. The predominant treatment is the insertion of a medical device called a shunt that drains fluid from the brain to another part of the body. Some children have a procedure called an ETV that allows many to live without a shunt. Both treatments can fail at any time.
Signs and Symptoms of a Medical Complication
Teachers must be aware of potential medical complications related to the treatment of the child’s hydrocephalus. Complications can appear over time or suddenly, creating an emergency medical situation. If not recognized in a timely manner, a child could sustain brain damage. Signs to be aware of include:
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Vision problems
- Irritability
- Tiredness
- Personality changes
- Loss of coordination or balance
- Fever
- Redness or swelling along the shunt tract
Teachers may also notice subtle, unexplained changes in the behavior that is normal or typical for that student. These changes may be noticed possibly over days or weeks, such as:
- Decline in academic performance
- Changes in attention span, focus, and level of engagement
- Difficulty grasping and/or retaining new concepts
- Decline in motivation
- Difficulty following directions
- Increase sensitivity – emotional, visual, and/or sound
It is the teacher’s responsibility to communicate observations with parents and the school nurse.
Hydrocephalus can be Present with these Conditions
- Spina Bifida
- Cerebral Palsy
- Seizures/Epilepsy
- Brain Tumor
- Dandy Walker Malformation
- Chiari Malformation
- Autism
How can it Impact their Physical Time in the Classroom?
- Migraines and/or chronic headaches
- Visual problems
- Fatigue
- ADHD
- Chronic pain
- Neck stiffness
- Balance and/or coordination
- Absences due to medical appointments
All of these can make it hard for a student to perform each day. Each day can also be different depending on how the child is feeling and how well the fluid is draining from their brain.
How can Hydrocephalus Impact Learning?
It’s not uncommon for the challenges children with hydrocephalus face to appear similar to those faced by peers diagnosed with ADHD and/or Autism. Common challenges can include:
- Sustained Attention
- Working memory
- Self-monitoring
- Problem-solving
- Initiation
- Organization
- Sequencing
- Transitioning
- Motor functioning
- Comprehension
- Developmental Delays
What can the Impact Look Like?
- Forgetfulness; challenges engaging consistently in daily routine and structure
- Difficulty following directions
- Inconsistent academic performance
- Trouble retaining information taught (short term memory)
- Inability or confusion on how to start a task or worksheet
- Hard time letting go of a thought (rigidity of thinking which can appear stubborn or argumentative)
- Difficulty making transitions
- Getting lost frequently or easily, both physically and academically
- Deficits in fine motor and gross motor skills
- Conversing excessively and freely but lacking depth in conversation
- Difficulty making or keeping friends
Language-based Classes
- Reading speed (fluency)
- Decoding
- Can decode the words on a page without grasping the meaning
- Relies heavily on picture cues
- Poor reading comprehension
- Difficulty summarizing
- Difficulty with higher-level thinking questions
- Challenges inferencing
- Lack insight and/or has difficulty reading between the lines or “catching on,” particularly with figurative language
Math and Science
- Extreme difficulty solving problems mentally (mental math)
- Difficulties with multi-step problem solving
- Difficulties with sequential tasks
- Challenges brainstorming
Helpful Tips for Teaching your Student
- Learning through a combination of seeing, hearing, and doing. For example, use images and graphics, verbal presentations, and a physical, hands-on approach.
- Repetition to learn a concept.
- Providing graphic organizers to help with organization.
- Verbalizing what’s been taught. Allow the student to teach or show someone what they have learned. This can be a good testing tool, as well.
- Providing clear structure and predictable routines.
- Reteaching. Children may not remember what they were taught and will need to be retaught material. Often a paraeducator can help.
- Cueing often but in a way that does not attract unnecessary attention.
- Scaffolding – break things down.
- Providing recognition formats (e.g., picture cues, word banks, etc.) if a student struggles to recall information they have learned.
- Providing opportunities for personal space and “brain breaks.”