Discovering Conductive Education

Interest in Conductive Education has been percolating within educational and rehabilitation circles in Canada for years, but recently it was brought into clear focus by the Discover Conductive Education conference held in Toronto at the end of May.

The catalyst for this conference was the Ontario March of Dimes in co-operation with the Easter Seal Society of Ontario, the Stroke Recovery Association of Ontario and the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy. A roster of expert presenters from Britain, Canada, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel and the U.S.A. explained what Conductive Education is, how it is being practised around the world, and how this concept might be applied in our country.

More than half of the 158 participants were either parents of children with disabilities or adults with disabilities, the remainder being professionals (teachers and therapists).

Perhaps the most telling words for Canadians came at the start of the conference from Mr. Gary Malkowski, MPP and Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Education and Training:

"The tremendous enthusiasm which the Conductive Education approach inspires is important. More than any clinical fact, it tells us that here is an approach deserving of careful and thoughtful consideration . . . Indeed, there is much in the Conductive Education approach that seems attractive, not just for special education, but for education as a whole: its emphasis on a holistic approach that stresses education rather than treatment; the role of the student as an active participant who initiates learning; the building of a support group of students’ peers."

Allowing that "changes in conventional wisdom do not occur rapidly," he challenged the participants "to address the issue of advocacy" and "build public knowledge about Conductive Education."

Not wasting any time, concerned parents, stroke survivors and rehabilitation personnel have taken up that challenge, making plans for pilot research projects. The Ontario March of Dimes is setting up an information clearinghouse and the proceedings of the conference will be published in the coming months.

For further information, please contact: Information Services, Ontario March of Dimes, 60 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, Ontario M4H 1B6 (416) 425-0501 or 1-800-263-DIME.