What actually is conductive education?

[SouthEastLondonMummy]

I've heard a lot of stuff about conductive education, but only in vague terms. Have no idea what it involves, how to obtain it for my DD, whether I even should etc. Is it something you have to pay for privately? Is it easy to find places that teach it? Can it "cure" CP, eg dramatically improve arm function? Thank you!

Conductive Education is a system of rehabilitation which uses repetetive exercises to teach the brain to find new pathways in order to perform tasks such as sitting, crawling, walking etc. If your child has CP some of the pathways to the brain will be damaged and not work properly. CE teaches the brain to find new pathways in order to perform the tasks.(have just repeated myself there!) Physiotherapists do not like CE for a number of reasons. CE teaches lots of different movements at once, ie: the children work on a lying, sitting, standing, walking programme all at once. Physios like to 'compartmentalise' things more and not move onto walking unless standing is established first etc. My son has achieved fantastic results from CE. He is now walking independently (after 18months of CE. This is after our physio initially told us he would never walk.
Our CE centre is a local charity and we make a donation or fundraise for their services. I do not know of any CE centres in the South East. Maybe ask Scope or do a search on the Internet. I will have a look for you as well.
Good Luck.

Thanks Nat1H. You must be delighted. How old is your son? What sort of CP does he have? My DD has hemiplegia. Thanks for looking into it for me. I haven't looked at Scope yet, think I'm still a bit in denial.

And thanks FioFio.

Hi, my son has CP and we have been attending a south west london CE 'school for parents' for the last year of so. It's only for children up to age 5 or when they start full time school, I don't know what age your DD is. It is a charity and we fundraise or give a donation like Nat1H. We have found it great and the combination of physio and CE has worked well for us (but doesn't always - depends on your physio!)

Hello SELM

I've found it fantastic for my dd - she doesn't have diagnosed cp either but its working grand for her

How old is your dd? As far as I am aware - CE is free until the age of 3 (parent and child sessions) At our centre in Brum this is stretched out until just before child's 4th bday. After that, its a case of seeking funding from your PCT / LEA

try googling "percy hedley school" in the north east of england and see what they do- my dd does not go there but i know of parents that highly rate this place and fight to get their children to attend.

Hi SouthEastLondonMummy. My son is now 4 and started CE at around 21months of age. He was crawling but couldn't stand up, let alone walk. We were initially told he had left side hemiplegia, but this was later changed to triplegia as his right leg is affected as well.When did you find out about your DD and how old is she? Scope are a fantastic organisation and will give advice over the phone. They are well worth giving a ring. Have you applied for DLA yet? Cerebra have a fantastic downloadable booklet which takes you through the DLA form with specific reference to children with brain injuries. Any mlore questions, just ask.

Hi Southeastlondonmummy - my dd (16 months) has hemiplegia. I have looked into CE locally but the local centre doesn't seem to deal with children who are under 3. How old is your dd?

dd went to school for parents at billingshurst. she hated it but it taught us a lot. there were family's from all over going there.

sorry meant to say they take children under 3

Thanks everyone. Sorry has taken me so long to get back on this thread.

Hairy Maclary, is that in Putney? Have tried calling, but no reply. Summer break I guess?

My DD is 7 months old. We found out about the CP a few days after birth, as she had seizures and was given an MRI. We are receiving middle rate DLA, so pleased about that. Have neuro appointment this pm, scared half to death.

Hi SElondonmummy, yes we do go to the one in Putney. Term starts back on the 10th Sept, but they check the phones regularly and will probably get back to you. They are a lovely bunch of people!