The Peto Institute of Conductive Education
(Click underlined words for definition)

About Conductive Education

Conductive Education is a learning system designed to enable children and adults with disabilities to function more independently. It was developed in Hungary, but British therapists and teachers have used elements of the system for over 20 years.
 

Who can benefit? Will my child benefit?

Conductive Education may be appropriate for children and adults who have motor disorders. This means they have problems with movement because of damage to areas of the central nervous system that are responsible for organising smooth, efficient movement. Relevant conditions include Cerebral Palsy, Hemiplegia following a stroke or road accident, Spina Bifida, Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

For children with conditions like cerebral palsy and spina bifida, it is advisable to begin Conductive Education as early as possible.

It is not suitable for everyone and it is not a cure. It may, however, enable children to function more independently.

It is important to establish if Conductive Education is suitable for your child, and so an assessment is necessary if you are considering this approach. Some therapies work well for some children, whilst other methods are more appropriate for others. Conductive Education is one of a number of approaches, which meets the needs of some children in a very effective manner.

Where is it available?

Conductive Education is currently only available on a very limited basis in the UK. The Peto Institute recognises the practice of the Birmingham Institute as being Conductive Education. Work at Ingfield Manor School, run by Scope, is defined as being 'advised by the Peto Institute' and the Budapest Institute is providing support at Scope's Rutland House School.

In 1994 Scope's trainees completed their studies and both schools now offer full access to Conductive Education. The Peto Centre in London also offers short follow-up courses after assessment and has two of Scope's conductors on its staff.

Some physiotherapists working in the National Health Service use elements of the work, often in conjunction with other specialist therapy techniques such as that developed by The Bobath Centre.

How much will it cost? Can I get financial support?

Children undertaking Conductive Education will be statemented and therefore may be sponsored by their Local Authority, however this is quite rare. In order to make Conductive Education more accessible Scope is developing Outreach Services and a School for Parents initiative.

The Daily Routine

Conductive education sees the child as a whole; not just in terms of their particular special needs. Conductive Education would not, therefore, just direct programmes at, for example, the affected side of a hemiplegic child, but at both sides. However, every activity that the child takes part in will be beneficial to their particular needs, as long as it is carried out correctly.

Conductive Education is concerned with the development of the child throughout the whole day. The child's daily routine will include several series of tasks carried out in different positions, for example the lying, sitting and standing-walking positions. It is important to understand that these are all inter-linked. Skills that are learnt in these various positions will be applied in activities throughout the day.

It is also important to realise that a programme, for example in the lying position, is not purely physical. The conductor uses this time to develop age-appropriate cognitive, social and emotional skills, for example learning colours numbers, directions, etc.

The Group

The group plays an important part in the development of the personality and social skills of the child. Conductive Education works with groups containing a variety of children, to provide essential support and encouragement as well as to motivate and give opportunities for the children to learn from each other. However, every child within the group receives individual attention at their specific level.

The Conductor

The conductors role is to be aware of and develop all aspects of the child by establishing a good working relationship with them. It is felt that one of the ways in which children develop is by experiencing success. It is therefore the conductors job to give the child a goal that with a little bit of work can be achieved. Once this goal has been achieved the child is given a new goal which again will encourage development. Conductors continuously observe the children in order to modify the goals as necessary to assist the child's development. In this way the conductor ensures that the children experience success and feel proud of what they are doing.

The Parents

Conductive Education works in partnership with parents and others interested in the child's development. Skills learnt by the child can be applied to daily life and therefore it is important that parents and other interested people are involved in and understand the Conductive Education learnt by the child.

Children going to Budapest from the UK for the first time will need to have had an initial assessment at the Peto Andras Centre for Conductive Education (UK) in London.