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Early Intervention ProgramsJack Learning to Walk
Early Intervention
Programs: Kids Can
brings together all of our children's services including Physiotherapy,
Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Social Work, Psychology and
Respite for children aged 0-17 years living in both metropolitan and
regional area's throughout Western Australia.
Services provided by Kids Can are delivered through individualised intervention initiatives that include opportunities for parent support and learning, skill development for the child, and active support for the child and staff in childcare, pre-primary and primary settings. Kids Can consists of five programmes:
Conductive Education
People ask me what is conductive education? good question really, I would say it's teaching the body and mind to respond to the environment that our children live in. After one year of Jack attending the Conductive Education programme at Carson Street School with Laura and Nat and the other incredibly motivated teachers and assistants who help our children expand their abilities, I would say they teach us the parents to see our children's true potential and work with them to create it. This programme compliments the work Jack does with Cerebral Palsy. There
are four main elements to the Conductive Education process: The Conductor
The conductor has an intensive four-year professional training at the Conductor's College, which is attached to the Institute. They combine in their role what education , physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy have to offer to the education of physically handicapped children. They teach and guide the group, constantly observing each child's performance and accordingly modify the program and timetable. They hold the child's attention and ensure that he/she works to his/her potential throughout the day. The Group
The group is the basic unit of conductive education. Where possible the group participants are matched for ability and age. Working with others deflects the total focus of attention from an individual child but individual needs are still met as required within the group. The child is motivated to work both by wanting to keep up with his/her peers and to meet his/her own needs, rather than by expectations of the adults. Rhythmic Intention
This is the method by which the child uses speech or inner speech to express and intention and is followed by the movement, which is carried out rhythmically e.g The conductor say "I stand up". As the child or group carries out the task, a steady 1 to 5 rhythm is counted, or an aspect of the statement of intent is repeated e.g. "Up, up, up." Rhythmic intention helps the child focus on the task and reinforce what he/she has to do, as they do it. It helps them think and plan what they have to do and articulate. Language therefore helps the child overcome their movement problems. Task Series
The conductor sets appropriate goals and breaks up the motor tasks into elements. Although each member of the group is working towards the successful completion of a task, individual children work at their own level and to their own potential. The conductor guides and encourages the children as the progress towards their goals. Experiences in the eastern states have demonstrated that, in a unique way, Conductive Education has opened the doors to learning for children with motor disorders. These children are taught to see themselves as active participants in the community. A crucial component of Conductive Education is the establishment of high self esteem and each participant's belief in his or her own success. The goal is to offer a conductive education program that will allow many children to proceed into the traditional educational system and be supplemented by conductive education. Please visit the Conductive Education site
for more information:http://www.conductiveedwa.com.au/index.html
Jack learning to walk at conductive educationGreat Video explaining Conductive EducationWithout dedicated early intervention practitioners like the many individuals working at Cerebral Palsy centre and the amazing teachers and education programs such as Conductive Education at the "Carson Street School" Jack would never have the opportunity to gain the skills required to attend a main stream school. We thank the W.A Government for their vision in funding these programs, however it is now time to create a future vision for 2020. We need to start working towards equiping these facilities so that less abled children can develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to join mainstream schools when ready. There are Dozens of families on the waiting list for both of the organisations discussed above. Too many children slip thru the cracks, left trapped within their own bodies. We know that Jack would not be the interactive child he has become without their support, we cannot thank these people enough.
Laura from Conductive Education has also been nominated as a Young Australian of the Year for 2008 - "She gets our VOTE".Should you know the panel assessing nominees please put a good word in for her.
Regards Trevor Charmaine and Jack
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