Block Placement (5-14 years)
Recent research has shown that basic motor abilities and self-care skills improve in children with cerebral palsy following three-week intensive blocks of goal-directed activity delivered in a group setting. It also showed that the need for care-giver assistance in self-care and mobility decreased over this period of time. (Sosrdahl, A et al BMC Pediatrics 2010, 10:26).
At NICE we believe that all children should have the opportunity to focus their efforts on developing their movement and self-care skills as well as their general education. In recognition of this we are able to offer three week intensive block placements for children (Monday – Friday) to enable them to gain a greater understanding of their movements, increase their confidence and learn how to apply this learning into everyday skills. Children will follow a series of active movements and integrate these with direct teaching in everyday skills such as: moving around; dressing, eating etc.
These services are ideal for children who are attending school and may not have access to regular or intensive therapy and/or for those who need additional support following surgery or growth spurts.
The majority of children need a focused three week placement however one or two weeks can be suitable for some.
This services will run Monday to Thursday 8:30am – 4:00pm and Friday 8:30am – 2:00pm.
Please contact Maggie Lewis for further information on 0121 442 5540 or email MLewis@conductive-education.org.uk
Sessional services for children (5-18 years)
Sessional services are provided for 1.5 hours per week for children with cerebral palsy, dyspraxia and other movement problems. These sessions can be used to support a focused approach to developing movement skills and confidence and are especially beneficial for children who may not be able to access daily movement based programmes.
As children get older so the emphasis on academic studies increases. Whilst this is important children with movement disorders also need a structured, long term approach to developing motor skills. Many children need more time to develop skills such as sitting, standing, stepping or transferring and yet time seems to run out for them within their school environment.
These sessions can complement other therapies the child may be accessing and provide an opportunity for them to work in a small group alongside other children in a similar situation. In order to maintain a good, active and healthy lifestyle we all need to be able to move around. Children with motor disorders are no different and yet so often do not have the same opportunities as their peers.
As the child moves into adolescence many skills can become increasingly difficult to perform due to growth spurts and changes in the physical body. This is a crucial time to support the child in order to maintain as wide a range of active skills as possible and help them move successfully into adulthood.
You can find out more about these service by contacting Maggie Lewis on 0121 442 5540 or email MLewis@conductive-education.org.uk
