Special Needs Children Receive 75 Hour Summer Program – Many Thanks to Community!

July 13, 2009

COLUMBIA, SC –  July 12, 2009 – Eight children with Cerebral Palsy or similar motor disorders are receiving 3 hours of Conductive Education services per day, five days per week for 5 weeks starting Monday, July 13.  The program is the first for one-year old The Therapy Place, an up-and-coming pediatric therapy center in Columbia, SC.  Typically, these children receive up to three hours of therapy per week, if that.  This unique program will intensify the child’s course of therapy and education thereby encouraging the potential for more rapid progress, a must for children whose window of opportunity may be closing.

Children in The Therapy Place Conductive Education summer program range in age from 18 months to seven years.  Come visit these inspirational children as they tackle their tasks with a smile (most of the time!)  To schedule an appointment, call Dawn Darby at 318-2939 or email [email protected].

Conductive Education is an intensive, comprehensive program which teaches children with motor impairments (such as Cerebral Palsy, stroke or head injury) to achieve maximum independence.  Developed in the 1950’s by neurologist Dr. Andras Peto (1893-1967) in Hungary, Conductive Education (CE) emphasizes active learning in a group setting.  Integration of complex tasks and intentional movements with learning initiates the creation of new neural pathways to the brain.  A child can gain improved strength, coordination and movement, leading to a higher level of independence.  CE is a holistic approach, promoting the development of the whole person, including physical, social, cognitive and psychological aspects.

Additional programs are being planned by The Therapy Place as we continue our mission of bringing innovative therapies within reach, both physically and financially, to families with special needs children in the midlands of South Carolina.

Donations for the program have been made in the form of loaned facilities by Trinity Center for Mission & Ministry of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, equipment from a sister program in Bluffton, SC The Grace Center, the many sponsors participating in our inaugural golf tournament and Richland County government who provided a grant for the program.  Thanks to these partners, scholarships have been provided to families as requested. 

Please visit www.thetherapyplace.org to learn how you can help The Therapy Place expand Conductive Education to a year-round school setting and bring other innovative programs to Columbia.

The Therapy Place

The Vision of The Therapy Place is that all children with special needs will have every opportunity to pursue their goals, realize their dreams and reach their full potential.  Every parent or caregiver of those children will be provided with information, resources and encouragement in order to best support his or her child.  For more information or to find out how you can help, please visit www.thetherapyplace.org or e-mail [email protected]