ltd-addition
June 3rd, 2009, 02:35 AM
What is Conductive Education?
Conductive Education is a system of habilitation and rehabilitation which teaches people with motor disorders the skills they need to overcome their physical disabilities. They learn to manage their condition in such a way that their confidence increases, they feel more positive about the future and they are able to lead more independent and fulfilled lives.
Who can benefit?
Conductive Education has been developed specifically to meet the needs of people with motor disorders, that is, problems of neurological origin which cause difficulties in controlling movement. They include:
• cerebral palsy
• dyspraxia
• multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s
• Strokes
• head injuries
• dystonia
• progressive supranuclear palsy
How does Conductive Education actually work?
Conductive Education is taught by specially trained Conductors who work with the individual to achieve goals that are important to them.
For example, with children they begin by breaking down each movement into small achievable steps and work on creating the intention within the child to do the movement, often using song or other verbal techniques. These movements can then be practised until they become automatic. For babies this can mean learning to control their head and eye movements so they can bond with their parents, for toddlers it can be learning to look after their self-care needs such as eating and dressing, and for older children it can mean mastering the grip of a pencil needed to write their names.
Conductors work with adults to help them manage their condition and increase their level of ability. Conductors are trained in neurology, disability, physiology, psychology, rehabilitation and motor learning and they work together with the participant to build on their skills and help them develop ways of controlling the effects of the condition. The aim is to help them live more independently, so they may be taught everyday skills such as walking, or how to get in and out of a car.
Underlying the teaching is the philosophy that all children and adults, no matter how brain-damaged, can learn. Conductive Education teaches people with motor disorders to know that their co-ordination is much more under their control than they and their families may have thought, and that there are ways in which they can achieve much more.
History and Origins:
Conductive Education
•
Conductive Education was developed in Budapest, Hungary, by physician András Pető in the years following World War II.
• A Birmingham group was already investigating CE in the early 80s when a BBC documentary called
Standing Up for Joe followed a British family who took their son to the Pető Institute in Hungary. The programme generated a huge response: the question was raised, why wasn’t Conductive Education available in the UK?
• Over 11,000 enquiries and a national parental campaign alongside the Birmingham Research group led to the creation of a national charity the Foundation for Conductive Education to establish Conductive Education in the UK. Today Conductive Education is a world-wide movement, with over 25 organisations offering CE in the UK and over 150 centres abroad.
The Foundation for Conductive Education
•
The Foundation for Conductive Education was founded in 1986 to develop and advance the science and skill of Conductive Education, especially through teaching. The Foundation is dedicated to making Conductive Education more widely available to all those who could benefit by a programme of services, training, research and awareness-raising.
• The Foundation is leading the way in the development of Conductive Education across the Western world, working with countries such as Canada and Norway, to create services and training.
• The Foundation piloted the UK’s first CE services for children in 1988. Services for adults followed in 1990.
• The Foundation funded the first group of British trainees who travelled to Hungary for a four-year training course to become qualified conductors – the specialist teachers who deliver CE. Two of those original trainees Dr Melanie Brown (Senior Conductor and Director of Rehabilitation and Training) and Mrs Wendy Baker (senior Conductor and Director of Children’s Services) head up services for CE.
• The
BA (Hons) Conductive Education was developed by the Foundation in 1997 to provide the Qualified Conductors necessary to ensure the availability of CE worldwide. The course is run conjointly between FCE and the University of Wolverhampton and is the only CE course available outside Hungary. Successful completion leads to qualified Conductor Status. Graduates have taken up employment in the UK and abroad.
• The Foundation has developed Conductive Education to benefit other conditions such as dystonia, dyspraxia and progressive supranuclear palsy.
The National Institute of Conductive Education
•
National Institute of Conductive Education (NICE) was established by the Foundation and as an exemplar of CE practice is the leading centre in the UK for the provision of services and training. NICE, in Moseley, Birmingham, was opened in 1995 by Diana, Princess of Wales. It helps around 450 adults and children a year.
How can Conductive Education helpAlongside the restrictions and frustrations caused by the loss of mobility, we understand the emotional side-effects - the loss of confidence, the social embarrassment and sense of isolation - that can accompany Parkinson’s.
Conductive Education offers no cure for Parkinson’s disease. What it offers you is the opportunity to maximise your use of movements, provide techniques for overcoming the particular difficulties you face and helps you to find the positive outlook and self-confidence you need to manage the condition in your everyday life.
Conductors possess a detailed understanding of how Parkinson’s affects everyday living as well as the side-effects of the drugs used to combat the condition.
CE cannot replace drugs but works alongside them, encouraging participants to work not only when their drugs are working but also during ‘off’ periods.
Conductors work with you, helping you to find ways of overcoming the problems you face in a range of personal and social situations which are of importance to you.
Your personal aims will be set by you, in discussion with the conductors. For one person this may be to improve walking, for another, writing or speech.
Your personal set of goals will be worked towards within a balanced programme. Particular emphasis is placed on developing:
ways of maintaining a central body position and skills to improve balance and control of movements.
your use of rhythm to help you alter the timing of your movements to provide the flexibility required to perform numerous activities such as opening jars, tying shoelaces or buttoning up clothes.
techniques to assist with both the initiation and control of movements when your voluntary movement is reduced.
techniques to use at different stages in the drug cycle.
breathing techniques to help control the volume and articulation of speech.
your use of rhythm to assist in increasing the control of your walking.
techniques to enhance your writing skills.
What can I expect to gain?
increased confidence in your own abilities.
maintenance of your condition and assistance with daily management.
improvements in bodily control and mobility.
improved quality of life.
ability to overcome the inhibitions, restrictions and frustrations that accompany Parkinson’s disease.
Conductive Education is a system of habilitation and rehabilitation which teaches people with motor disorders the skills they need to overcome their physical disabilities. They learn to manage their condition in such a way that their confidence increases, they feel more positive about the future and they are able to lead more independent and fulfilled lives.
Who can benefit?
Conductive Education has been developed specifically to meet the needs of people with motor disorders, that is, problems of neurological origin which cause difficulties in controlling movement. They include:
• cerebral palsy
• dyspraxia
• multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s
• Strokes
• head injuries
• dystonia
• progressive supranuclear palsy
How does Conductive Education actually work?
Conductive Education is taught by specially trained Conductors who work with the individual to achieve goals that are important to them.
For example, with children they begin by breaking down each movement into small achievable steps and work on creating the intention within the child to do the movement, often using song or other verbal techniques. These movements can then be practised until they become automatic. For babies this can mean learning to control their head and eye movements so they can bond with their parents, for toddlers it can be learning to look after their self-care needs such as eating and dressing, and for older children it can mean mastering the grip of a pencil needed to write their names.
Conductors work with adults to help them manage their condition and increase their level of ability. Conductors are trained in neurology, disability, physiology, psychology, rehabilitation and motor learning and they work together with the participant to build on their skills and help them develop ways of controlling the effects of the condition. The aim is to help them live more independently, so they may be taught everyday skills such as walking, or how to get in and out of a car.
Underlying the teaching is the philosophy that all children and adults, no matter how brain-damaged, can learn. Conductive Education teaches people with motor disorders to know that their co-ordination is much more under their control than they and their families may have thought, and that there are ways in which they can achieve much more.
History and Origins:
Conductive Education
•
Conductive Education was developed in Budapest, Hungary, by physician András Pető in the years following World War II.
• A Birmingham group was already investigating CE in the early 80s when a BBC documentary called
Standing Up for Joe followed a British family who took their son to the Pető Institute in Hungary. The programme generated a huge response: the question was raised, why wasn’t Conductive Education available in the UK?
• Over 11,000 enquiries and a national parental campaign alongside the Birmingham Research group led to the creation of a national charity the Foundation for Conductive Education to establish Conductive Education in the UK. Today Conductive Education is a world-wide movement, with over 25 organisations offering CE in the UK and over 150 centres abroad.
The Foundation for Conductive Education
•
The Foundation for Conductive Education was founded in 1986 to develop and advance the science and skill of Conductive Education, especially through teaching. The Foundation is dedicated to making Conductive Education more widely available to all those who could benefit by a programme of services, training, research and awareness-raising.
• The Foundation is leading the way in the development of Conductive Education across the Western world, working with countries such as Canada and Norway, to create services and training.
• The Foundation piloted the UK’s first CE services for children in 1988. Services for adults followed in 1990.
• The Foundation funded the first group of British trainees who travelled to Hungary for a four-year training course to become qualified conductors – the specialist teachers who deliver CE. Two of those original trainees Dr Melanie Brown (Senior Conductor and Director of Rehabilitation and Training) and Mrs Wendy Baker (senior Conductor and Director of Children’s Services) head up services for CE.
• The
BA (Hons) Conductive Education was developed by the Foundation in 1997 to provide the Qualified Conductors necessary to ensure the availability of CE worldwide. The course is run conjointly between FCE and the University of Wolverhampton and is the only CE course available outside Hungary. Successful completion leads to qualified Conductor Status. Graduates have taken up employment in the UK and abroad.
• The Foundation has developed Conductive Education to benefit other conditions such as dystonia, dyspraxia and progressive supranuclear palsy.
The National Institute of Conductive Education
•
National Institute of Conductive Education (NICE) was established by the Foundation and as an exemplar of CE practice is the leading centre in the UK for the provision of services and training. NICE, in Moseley, Birmingham, was opened in 1995 by Diana, Princess of Wales. It helps around 450 adults and children a year.
How can Conductive Education helpAlongside the restrictions and frustrations caused by the loss of mobility, we understand the emotional side-effects - the loss of confidence, the social embarrassment and sense of isolation - that can accompany Parkinson’s.
Conductive Education offers no cure for Parkinson’s disease. What it offers you is the opportunity to maximise your use of movements, provide techniques for overcoming the particular difficulties you face and helps you to find the positive outlook and self-confidence you need to manage the condition in your everyday life.
Conductors possess a detailed understanding of how Parkinson’s affects everyday living as well as the side-effects of the drugs used to combat the condition.
CE cannot replace drugs but works alongside them, encouraging participants to work not only when their drugs are working but also during ‘off’ periods.
Conductors work with you, helping you to find ways of overcoming the problems you face in a range of personal and social situations which are of importance to you.
Your personal aims will be set by you, in discussion with the conductors. For one person this may be to improve walking, for another, writing or speech.
Your personal set of goals will be worked towards within a balanced programme. Particular emphasis is placed on developing:
ways of maintaining a central body position and skills to improve balance and control of movements.
your use of rhythm to help you alter the timing of your movements to provide the flexibility required to perform numerous activities such as opening jars, tying shoelaces or buttoning up clothes.
techniques to assist with both the initiation and control of movements when your voluntary movement is reduced.
techniques to use at different stages in the drug cycle.
breathing techniques to help control the volume and articulation of speech.
your use of rhythm to assist in increasing the control of your walking.
techniques to enhance your writing skills.
What can I expect to gain?
increased confidence in your own abilities.
maintenance of your condition and assistance with daily management.
improvements in bodily control and mobility.
improved quality of life.
ability to overcome the inhibitions, restrictions and frustrations that accompany Parkinson’s disease.