The Conductive Education Centre of WA (CECWA) is an Incorporated Association that delivers Conductive Education (CE) programs for children. CE is a unique system of special education and rehabilitation that has been specifically developed for children who have motor disorders of a neurological origin, such as cerebral palsy. Unlike traditional therapy-based approaches, it does not set out to ‘treat’ children but to help them learn to overcome their learning disabilities, become self reliant and live full and fulfilling lives.
CECWA provides CE programs at Carson Street School, the State’s only primary education support school. The school provides education staff (including Teacher-Conductors, Education Assistants and Administration) while CECWA aims to provide a trans-disciplinary therapy team comprising a speech pathologist, occupational therapist and physiotherapist. At this stage, two of the three therapist positions are funded.
The programs are attended by children of pre-school age (0-4) as well as by a small number of school-age children. Sessions range from two-hour parent and child sessions to half and full-day classes.
The donation by WA Charity Direct enabled CECWA to engage a physiotherapist on the basis of 0.6 FTE (sufficient given program breaks during school holidays) and has increased the effectiveness of the existing programs significantly.
