How to Start a Conductive Ed Center

Conductive education is often used alongside physical therapy.

Physically disabled people need all the help society can give them. Many people with physical disabilities have the desire and ability to work, but just need a little help to get them started. Conductive education is a special type of physical learning for people with neurological disorders. At conductive education centers, practitioners help students to live a normal lifestyle by teaching them to use their faculties in a productive way. If you plan to start a conductive education center, first develop a network of contacts in the health profession who can refer students to your center.

Things You'll Need

• Conductive Education Certificate
• Private Educational Institution License
• Physical Therapy Business License

Instructions

1. Perform initial market research. Ask people in the medical profession whether there are other conductive education centers in your area, or whether there are other clinics for people with neurological disorders that would compete with a conductive ed center. Look in an online healthcare directory for names of organizations in your area that cater to people with neurological conditions.

2. Contact someone you know who already owns or manages a conductive education center. If you do not already know someone, visit a conductive ed center and ask to speak with the manager. Ask how much it cost them to start their conductive ed center, and how much it costs to run it each month. Costs for conductive ed centers vary from place to place, because some states have charities and government programs set up to assist these kinds of projects while others don't.

3. Write a business plan. Include the findings from the market research you conducted in step one. Write a short, one paragraph description of the conductive ed center you have planned, including the number of services you plan to offer and the number of people you plan to employ. Include a section on how you plan to market your business, including any advertising or word-of-mouth marketing you plan to use. Include a financial section that lists the costs you anticipate (rent, salaries, equipment, furniture). Mention in the financial section that health insurance often covers essential therapeutic services, and that conductive education can be counted under this category. Conclude with a request for funding that explains why you need a grant or loan and how (in the case of a loan) you plan to pay it back.

4. Apply for funding. Contact your bank and arrange a meeting with the small business services people. Bring your business plan with you to the meeting. Explain the contents from the final section of your business plan in greater detail. Bring the market research findings you completed in step one, and use these to explain how you will generate business. Explain how you will generate learners for the center (e.g. advertising or word of mouth).

5. Hire staff. Place an ad in a newspaper or an online classifieds site (e.g. Craigslist) stating that you are hiring educators and support staff for a conductive education center. State that all educators and conductors must have a degree in early childhood special education (this is the required credential for conductive educators), while support staff do not need to possess the degree. Conductive educators also need to require a conductive education license from the Association of Conductive Education in North America. To manage a Conductive Education Center, you must have this certficate as well.

6. Contact people in the health profession in your area. Inform them that you are opening a conductive education center. Tell them that if they have patients with cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders, they can refer them to your clinic for long term physical education with trained practitioners. Provide your office name and telephone number to anyone who wants to consider your new operation for referrals.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply for any state and local licenses you may need in your own area.

References

• Conductive Education: What is Conductive Education?
• Resources for Entrepreneurs: How to Start a Physiotherapy Clinic
• Conductive Education Center of Orlando
• Small Business Administration: Essential Elements of a Business Plan
• Nevada State Board of Education: Business License
• American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists: About Certification

Resources

• Health Boards: Health Professionals Message Board
• Better Business Bureau: Charity Review for the Center for Independence Through Conductive Education
• Tri-State Medical Directory
• Bylaws of the Association of Conductive Education in North America
• True Balance PLLC: Rates and Insurance