Conductive Education in Australia

Conductive Education (CE) is an educational, holistic approach that helps people with neurological and motor disorders develop the functional skills they need for greater independence and participation. Developed at the Peto Institute in Hungary, CE combines movement, communication, cognition and self‑care into an integrated curriculum delivered by trained conductor‑teachers. Unlike traditional therapies, CE views each person as an active learner rather than a passive recipient, emphasising orthofunction—the ability to plan and carry out purposeful actions in everyday life.

A Holistic Learning Model

• Active learning & task series: Participants practise structured sequences (for example, sitting up, standing, transferring) while verbalising steps. This rhythmical intention links thought with movement and builds motor planning.

• Group dynamics: Learners work together, fostering motivation, social communication and peer support.

• Family partnership: Parents and caregivers are coached to continue routines at home, ensuring skills generalise across settings.

Our Programs: Lifelong Learning

Early Years (0–6)

Young children attend daily CE sessions with their parents. Through play, songs and routines they learn to roll, sit, crawl, stand and communicate. Parents gain confidence as partners in their child’s development.

School Booster (5–18)

School‑age learners participate in CE intensives alongside mainstream schooling. Our partnership model mirrors systems like New Brunswick and Italy, where there is no separate “special” vs “mainstream” schooling. Children practise transfers, handwriting, communication and self‑care, then return to their local school better prepared to participate. The Rainbow Centre in the UK has successfully used this dual‑placement model for decades, combining a broad academic curriculum with daily CE sessions.

Transition & Adult Programs (14+)

Adolescents and adults continue developing independence through skills like public transport use, vocational routines and community participation. International programs—such as Tsad Kadima’s mainstreaming project in Israel—have shown that staged integration into mainstream workplaces and education, combined with afternoon CE support, promotes long‑term inclusion.

Why Conductive Education Works

Multiple studies and evaluations have explored CE’s outcomes:

• An early childhood trial in Australia (the Yooralla project) reported significant improvements in motor skills and parental coping among children attending a CE program.

• A Spanish evaluation of an intensive CE program found that 70 % of children with cerebral palsy improved their gross motor patterns beyond what could be expected from natural development.

• Longitudinal success stories highlight the program’s impact: one child who started CE in infancy learned to stand and walk independently and now, as an adult, lives in his own home with support and attends adult CE sessions. Other graduates report increased self‑confidence, employment opportunities and the ability to take part in community life.

These findings align with our philosophy: consistent, education‑based intervention combined with inclusive schooling leads to greater independence, participation and well‑being.

How We Align with National Priorities

The ACCE model reflects Australia’s Disability Strategy and NDIS practice standards. CE emphasises self‑determination, community inclusion, health and well‑being, family partnerships and capacity building. By integrating CE with mainstream education and employment pathways, we contribute to an Australia where people with disabilities can learn, grow and thrive.

Get Involved

The Conductive Education Centre relies on community support to expand its impact. Here’s how you can help:

• Donate: Contributions fund scholarships, accessible facilities and training for conductor‑teachers. Every gift, big or small, removes barriers to participation.

• Partner: Schools and employers can collaborate with us to integrate CE into classrooms, training programs and workplaces, creating truly inclusive environments.

• Volunteer & Advocate: Share our mission, join events and help raise awareness of Conductive Education.

Together we can build an Australia where every person with a motor disorder has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive through Conductive Education.