What Is Conductive Education?

Developed in Budapest, Hungary in the 1940’s by Dr. András Petõ, conductive education is an intensive, multi-disciplinary approach to physically educating children and adults with disabilities caused by damage to the central nervous system. It is based on the theory that the central nervous system has the capacity to form new neural connections, despite neurological damage. This unique way of educating involves active learning. Conductive education includes setting individualized goals and developing meaningful strategies for increasing physical function. Students perform engaging activities and exercises that develop their neuro-muscular abilities while they pursue new skills, such as independent sitting, dressing, and walking.

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 intensive training, a child can gain movement and skills and achieve greater levels of independence.

Conductive education is designed to improve motor skills and increase independence in many aspects of common living. It is not a cure, but a method of tasks and education that is broken down into basic functional movements.