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"Comprehension and overall understanding has developed. Speech has improved significantly and is more spontaneous. Now walking, sometimes spontaneously and is much more stable and fluid with her movememts."

Children with cerebral palsy and/or physical disabilities have a learning disorder that affects their motor skills and the reception of information, as well as expressive functions and the feedback system. Through the repetition of tasks, the damaged brain finds alternative pathways to send messages to the muscle groups in order to recreate the different, accepted movements.

Through the Conductive Education classes, children gain confidence and a greater sense of personal achievement, social competence and self-esteem. Conductive Education provides the opportunity for the child to recognise his/her own ability by successfully completing tasks, which will change their participation from passive to active involvement.

Children and Parent Class (0-3 years)

The Children and Parent Class provides information to families about the practice and theories of Conductive Education, but most importantly it teaches mothers, fathers and carers how to maintain their lives with everyday routines and balance their family's needs. Families are taught how to look after their child and how to evaluate the child appropriately.

The goal is to activate the child. The parents learn what tasks to set the child in order to improve cooperation. The Conductor guides parents on how to increase the expectations set for the child, and teaches how to position children correctly and to perform everyday activities like dressing and eating. Learning to stimulate the child's development and to connect it with their intellectual development is also taught.

Children and Parent Class teaches:

• gross motor skills including turning, rolling, crawling, sitting, standing up and standing for walking,
• hands on techniques and emotional support to families.

Classes run weekly all year round during school terms. The sessions feature music throughout the morning and aims to improve gross motor skills, fine motor skills, social skills, speech and communication skills, and to promote the development of senses at an early age. With the parent / carer involvement, the young child learns to adapt problem-solving skills into their home environment.

Pre-school/ Kindergarten Classes (2 - 5 years)

These classes run all year round during school terms and are primarily designed as a preparation for inclusion into regular pre-school and school. The intensive programs provide:

• improvement in the quality of standing / walking and changing of positions
• age appropriate activities, tasks and games that cater for the child's individual needs
• friendly learning environment in a group situation
• interaction with peers and the Conductor
• structured daily routines

The children are very much encouraged to master their environment, rather than their environment being adapted to cater for their needs. These goals are achieved through play, and the activities promote educational gains and skills.

Intermediate Program (6 - 10 years)

To join the program, an assessment by the Conductor is required, followed by a four week group assessment, to monitor suitability, after which a permanent placement may be offered.

Intermediate Program sessions run at Allambie Heights and once a week in the Ryde area.

"Our goals are beginning to seem more achievable."

Families are a very important part of this program. At all times we work with the family, providing information, support and strategies for assisting children in their home, school and community environment. Please do not hesitate to discuss your child's program with the Conductor.

Junior and Teenage Program (10 - 18 years)

Sessions offered for this program include classes and individual follow-up programs. Students develop existing skills and functions, and learn new ones. They then have the opportunity to take the skills learnt in the classroom out into their community. Consistent with this aim, the children have been rockclimbing, shopping, eating in restaurants, overnight camping, and have participated in a disco, sleepover and party.

School Holiday Program (6-10 years)

Holiday programs are offered twice a year for students attending on a regular basis and for families travelling from outside the Sydney Metropolitan area. Age and ability group the children attending holiday programs and regular sessions.