In response to parent demand for a comprehensive, proven approach to learning and development for children with motor challenges, the Conductive Learning Center (CLC) was established by Aquinas College in 1998. While still associated with Aquinas College, the Conductive Learning Center is a financially independent, private, not-for-profit organization. The Center is located at 2428 Burton Street S.E. in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The CLC offers programs for children from infancy to adolescence. The goal of the program is to help children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other motor challenges become as independent as possible.
Peto
Institute Connection
The
Conductive Learning Center operates the only program in North
America that is directed and supervised by the International
Peto Institute of Conductive Education in Budapest, Hungary.
Program Director Andrea Benyovszky has been the Peto- assigned
conductor for the past four years. She coordinates the scheduling
of the additional Peto Institute conductors, who travel to Grand
Rapids to deliver the conductive education program that is offered
throughout the calendar year. Aquinas College offers a POHI (physically
and otherwise health impaired)/conductor-teacher preparation
program that places students at the CLC as part of their training.
Our
Mission
To provide opportunities for preschool and school age children with motor challenges to achieve optimal physical, cognitive and social independence through the application and promotion of conductive education principles.
What
Is Conductive Education?
Conductive
education is an intensive, multi-disciplinary approach to
education, training and development for individuals with
cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other motor challenges.
Developed
in 1945 in Hungary by Dr. Andras Peto, conductive education
is based on the theory that the central nervous system
has the capacity to form new neural connections, despite
neurological damage. By repeating tasks and integrating
intentional movement with learning, the brain creates alternate
paths to send messages to muscle groups, creating the desired
movements. Through this, a child can gain movement
and skills, and achieve greater levels of independence.
The
critical element of conductive education is the integration
of motor-skill development with cognitive and emotional-skill
development within a group setting. Most children with motor
challenges do not learn exactly the same way as their peers.
Conductive education helps these students build their cognitive
skills and helps them learn to use alternate strategies to
learn. This total approach to learning and training targets
children under the age of six, when the potential for impact
is greatest, and when they can be prepared for the traditional
classroom.
The
Conductive Learning Center is a Michigan Not-for-Profit Corporation
under Section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS code. The School offers
conductive education methodology as an educational option to
students diagnosed with neurological based motor impairments,
such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other motor challenges.
Conductive
Learning Center
2428
Burton Street S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
