Education Programme for Disabled Children Under Threat   21 May 2012

Education Programme for Children with Disabilities Under Threat

Conductive Education, an educational programme which improves quality of life for children with motor disorders, is under threat. The removal of a therapy funding entitlement may compromise the ability of conductive education centres to continue in their current capacity.

Around 150 children from a few months old to high school ages are enrolled in nine conductive education centres around New Zealand, several of which are co-located with mainstream schools.  The majority of children attending conductive education have motor disorders of neurological origin such as Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida and Global Developmental Delay and many have complex medical needs.

Dave Ching of the New Zealand Foundation for Conductive Education (NZFCE) says the loss of therapy funding which has been funding the physical programme that these profoundly physically disabled children desperately require is a severe blow.

“The centres for school aged children will lose the funding which enables them to employ conductors, the highly skilled practitioners who deliver the programme.”

“ The Boards of Trustees of the schools concerned are determined to make every effort to ensure that conductive education facilities remain open and can continue to provide for these extremely fragile children.”

Conductive Education is a programme originating in Hungary and based on the philosophy that people with motor disorders of neurological origin can learn.  The emphasis is on helping children to learn to coordinate movements and achieve greater independence and programmes are delivered by conductors, whose role is that of health professional as well as educator.

NZFCE Patron, former All Black and current Chief’s coach, Wayne Smith, says Conductive Education centres provide the specialist education and physical therapies that children with motor disorders cannot access easily elsewhere.

“When our son, Josh, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy we rallied round a whole team of professionals to help us including occupational therapists, physiotherapists and teachers.  Conductive education does all that and more, it’s a programme that really helps kids reach their full potential.”

The nine centres around New Zealand will be opening their doors during Awareness Week, 21 – 28 May to encourage parents, medical practitioners and educational professionals to find out more about Conductive Education.

Meanwhile the NZFCE and conductive education professionals will continue to lobby ministers and politicians to review their decision on this therapy funding allocation and ensure a brighter future and path to greater independence as adults for the children affected.

About Conductive Education

Developed by a Hungarian Professor, Andras Peto, Conductive Education programmes are delivered by highly qualified professionals called conductors, whose role is that of health professional as well as educator concentrating on developing life skills, with family involvement integral to the success of the programme.  Training involves four years of study at the Peto Institute, Hungary or Birmingham University, England. Conductive Education is often described as a way of life for people with physical disabilities.

About the New Zealand Foundation for Conductive Education

The NZFCE is a national organisation providing support to nine Conductive Education centres around New Zealand.  Its purpose is to ensure Conduction Education is recognised as one of the leading programmes of maximising the potential of New Zealanders with motor disorders.

The NZFCE does not receive government funding and is made up of elected members. Wayne Smith, whose son Josh has cerebral palsy, is the Foundation’s Patron.

The Conductive Education Awareness Week for 2012 will run from 21 -29 May 2012 and provide opportunities for families, health professionals and media to discover Conductive Education for themselves through open days, interviews and parent to parent support.

http://www.conductive-education.org.nz/

ENDS

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