CP and conductive education

[isw]

Hi
I was wondering if anyone has any experiences of conductive education. It is my understanding that they value function over form. DD is 3, just starting to walk with a kaye walker (with afos and a pummel) but have very little independence as she cant get from sitting from lying for example. Cognitively she only has a slight delay so she is getting more and more frustrated. I need child care for Aug and have been looking into a conductor/ au pair type arrangement with the view to helping her to be more independent before she starts school in sept
Any experiences and would like to share?
Thanks

Yes we did it when ds was younger - I think it's good - but very hard work - only did one day a week and not sure I would suggest it full time but it does teach independence well and it's worth a try

I am originally from Hungary, where conductive education was developed by physician Andras Peto. The Hungarian website has extensive information in English but unfortunately it's down at the minute, so the second best place I can direct you over the internet is this: www.percyhedley.org.uk/info/conductiveeducation.asp
There is also useful info here:
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/yy_20040312.shtml

I trained as a SEN teacher in Hungary (not at the Peto Institute but at another, also unique in Europe) and have seen enormous improvements in children with CP through conductive education. Also there are lots of children from other countries actually attending the Peto Institute in Budapest. However, I must stress that conductive education in its real, original form is a full-time programme (5 days a week 6+ hours a day) and very hard work.

My DD attends a special needs nursery that uses conductive education. She has a fulltime place so 5.5 hours a day, 5 days a week.

She has CP and is 4.5 years old and has been going to this nursery in one form or another for almost 4 years and it is the best thing that has ever happened for us.

Her teacher trained at the institute in budapest as mention in the PP.

We are currently looking at primary education for her and luckily we live near to a primary special needs school that is also conductive education.

I do know that she works very hard, and the staff and wonderfully supportive. We credit the amount of progress she has made to them.

Thank you for your answers, we are going to a centre in May for an assessment to be considered for their flexi program which is 4 weeks a year. Unfortuately a special needs school or nursery isn´t an option where we live nor is going to Hungary!
Any other stories, will look at the links later when have some time thanks

Also hard work in what way?

Hi

I am a UK born and trained conductor (although not currently working in the UK) - so obviously I am biased!

CE can be hugely effective for children and adults with CP (and many other neurologically based movement problems) and I have seen many children benefit from it. Full time, whole day programmes in groups are the most effective way to deliver it but you can get good success out of sessional (e.g. one day a week) or intensive short term (e.g. the 4 week program that you have mentioned). Using a conductor as an au pair can also work and is good for working out things to do at home - I would suggest attending this 4 week program as well though.

It is hard work for the children as they are encouraged to move a great deal and make a lot of effort - however it should always be fun and engaging and very much done through play, especially at your child's age.

CE is about teaching skills that the children can use every day and these skills can be anything and everything, from sitting to walking to self care to communication etc. We look at the child as an individual and will work out what their next steps are and tailor everything around that. CE has always been 'holistic' in that it looks at the whole child, from top to bottom, inside and out. CE is about personality, confidence, self-belief and independence as much as the obvious physical side.

I am not sure what you mean about it valuing function over form - although we teach practical functional skills, the way in which the child performs them (and especially things like posture) is also very important.

If you want to advertise for a Conductor au-pair, you can use this Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/pages/CONDUCTIVE-WORLD-JOBS/376055890606

I hope that you find Conductive Education useful and the best of luck to you and your daughter. Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

Regards

Ben