Services

The Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) is the 'Centre of Excellence' and is used to demonstrate innovation and best practice in universities in Australia and internationally. We offer a range of comprehensive, inclusive, and innovative service to families who have a child with Cerebral Palsy (and like conditions). These programs are designed to meet the child's special learning requirements. We are also continually developing and refining our programs. Strategies developed with these groups are internationally acknowledged as world first.

The services we offer are planned by parents and professionals working together to identify and plan for each child's needs within the one program. Assessment procedures identify the family priorities, key issues for participation and learning and functionally defined goals. The programs are tailored to include learning opportunities required to meet each individual child and family's goals and priorities within the group.

The services we offer include:

Family-centred, early intervention programs applying principles of conductive education for families who have a child aged twelve months to six years with physical and/or multiple disabilities (in particular Cerebral Palsy). The programs offered address the range of developmental areas: communication, physical, sensory, cognitive, social and emotional. These programs include opportunities to participate in a variety of activities which are readily accessible to able children of similar age.
After school programs for students aged five to eighteen years who have physical and/or multiple disabilities (in particular Cerebral Palsy).
Experienced and professional staff who are acknowledged for their expertise in Cerebral Palsy, conductive education within their own professions.
Training and support within the community, in particular to community environments accessed by the families, including child care and kindergarten.
An information resource service about Cerebral Palsy, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and conductive education to parents, therapists, teachers, paediatricians, other professionals and the wider community.
Practical training facilities for undergraduate and post graduate students (teaching and therapy).
The community of support from staff and other parents who face similar challenges to themselves.
A focal point for interstate and international therapists and teachers who wish to further develop their own professional practice and knowledge of Cerebral Palsy, conductive education and/or AAC for young children.
Outside of the offered programs, CPEC staff members provide additional services.

These services are illustrations of the holistic approach of CPEC:

organising and training in the use of equipment such as chairs, walkers splints, wheelchairs, toilet seats and electronic communication devices
design and manufacture of communication books and aided language displays for group, home and kindergarten
supporting the child within community environments
liaison with medical personnel and other professionals
information sessions for kindergarten and day care staff
participation in case management meetings
individual therapy and/or psychology sessions to address particular individual requirements
crisis support.

One of the keys to the success of the CPEC programs is that the children's progress is being continually monitored and the programs are adjusted to meet their needs.

This service model is a unique application of the principles of conductive education within an Australian educational and therapeutic context; it is the only service of its kind in Australia. These programs are a best practice model for applying principles of conductive education receiving significant interest throughout Australia and internationally. There is a continual need to invest more resources, personnel, expertise and time, to meet these essential aspects of the service. CPEC staff work many hours in their own time to complete these tasks for families.

To find out more about the services we offer please contact us.