Conductive education is a unique learning process for children and adults with neurological and motoric impairment. It is a complex approach that targets all five areas of need (communication and interaction; cognition and learning; physical, sensory and/or physical; social, mental and emotional health) through various activities implemented in the daily routine.

 

Conductive Education is influenced by Lev Vygotsky’s theory of scaffolding and the zone of proximal development (ZPD) ZPD determines the difference between what a learner can do without help and what he or she can do with help. A scaffold is a temporary framework that is put in place to support and access ‘meaning’ and then taken away as needed when the child secures the success of a task.

 

András Pető was a Hungarian doctor, who was way ahead of his time when he developed the idea of Conductive Education in the 1950’s. It was based on an early theory of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity means that the brain has the ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout the whole life.

 

Conductive Education has excellent results because conductors (therapists) always create a challenging environment but with realistic expectations i.e. where the clients are able to achieve all they can already do without realising it.

 

 

What does Conductive Education offer?

• Lifelong learning: Conductive Education teaches the individual a problem solving approach to helping them become independent and active learners.

• Customised sessions: Individual and group meetings according to the personal needs, as well as highlighting that learning together promotes commitment

• Enables the child to work in an integrated way with others with similar but often different issues

• Combines elements of education and rehabilitation within the learning approach

• Teaches children to actively achieve their goals and the motivation to find their own way of doing so

• Promotes a “can do” attitude

• Clear and consistent expectations to develop and guide learning individuals

 

If you would like to read more about conductive education, visit: http://www.cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebral-palsy/treatment/therapy/conductive-education