Jackson Center classes meet throughout the year in sessions that last between four and seven weeks. Classes are either 1 ½ or 3 hours long and occur two or three times per week.

Participants are screened for placement in classes based upon their age and ability. Interaction with peers provides an optimal environment for learning and facilitates motivation and socialization. The Jackson Center primarily serves children from six months through 13 years old and on a limited basis accepts adult enrollment.

Participants frequently participate in field trips where they are challenged to use the skills obtained in class to solve problems to everyday challenges in the community.

The Jackson Center also offers an academic enhancement program for children who are pre-school and elementary ages. This program is lead by a certified Special Education Teacher and is designed to supplement instruction children are receiving through the public schools.

Roles:

Our Staff

Conductor:

Conductors are movement specialists who hold a four-year, university-based degree.  Most have been trained at the PetÖ Institute in Hungary, but there are other recognized training programs, including one in the United States.  Through the Conductive Education program, the Conductor teaches skills that promote independence in self care and mobility while helping participants gain self-esteem and achieve academic skills.

Rather than "solving" the motor problems themselves, Conductors guide and encourage each child's own active problem-solving for movement tasks.  As the thinking becomes habitual and new tasks are learned, the brain rewires new connections.

Occupational Therapist:

Occupational therapists use purposeful activity to promote health and to enable individuals to reach the highest level of independence while achieving functional outcomes and goals.  Goals are directed toward improving daily living/playing skills or enhancing skills for educational performance.  Occupational therapists address sensorimotor, oral-motor, perceptual and neuromuscular function as well as emotional, motivational, cognitive and psychosocial components of performance.

Physical Therapist :

Physical Therapists focus on the evaluation of strength, balance, range of motion, coordination, endurance and posture. They help restore, maintain and promote overall health and functional ability so a person can achieve maximal independence and quality of life.

Special Education Teacher :

The Special Education Teacher's role is to provide instruction involving activities and subject matter for students whose learning needs are enhanced by either a one-to-one or small group environment. Curriculums are written to help children with special needs achieve age-appropriate education standards set by the State of Indiana.

Classroom Aides :

Classroom aides work under the direct supervision of the Conductor and therapists and are available in approximately a one-to-one ratio to assist participants as needed. The goal of the CE approach is to teach and explore challenges of movement allowing any child to participate as individually as possible.

Prospective Students:

Conductive Education is generally beneficial to those with motor disorders where damage originates in the central nervous system. Typically such disorders include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Others who may benefit from conductive education include those who have experienced brain injury or stroke.

Candidates for Conductive Education should have the cognitive ability to understand and follow simple visual and verbal directions. Conductive Education may be beneficial throughout the life span from approximately six months of age.