September 2, 2009

Conductive Learning Center

It's been a long time since I posted, but I just found my password again. I know we have posted about the Conductive Learning Center in the past, but since we are spending the next month with them, I thought some of you might find this information of interest:

Conductive education is an intensive, multi-disciplinary approach to education, training and development for individuals with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other motor challenges.

Developed in 1945 in Hungary by Dr. Andras Peto, conductive education is based on the theory that the central nervous system has the capacity to form new neural connections, despite neurological damage. By repeating tasks and integrating intentional movement with learning, the brain creates alternate paths to send messages to muscle groups, creating the desired movements. Through this, a child can gain movement and skills, and achieve greater levels of independence.

The critical element of conductive education is the integration of motor-skill development with cognitive and emotional-skill development within a group setting. Most children with motor challenges do not learn exactly the same way as their peers. Conductive education helps these students build their cognitive skills and helps them learn to use alternate strategies to learn. This total approach to learning and training targets children under the age of six, when the potential for impact is greatest, and when they can be prepared for the traditional classroom.

1 comment:

Keri said...

It's so nice to find other families that have or are experiencing the benefits from Conductive Learning Center. From the sounds of it, I'm guessing you are attending the CLC in Grand Rapids. My son and I attended the center the month of September in 2008. It was phenomenal. I could ramble on and on. Glad to hear you and your daughter are doing so well with it!