Like a little family", is how Robyn Carthew describes the Conductive Education Unit at Naenae Primary School.

"Like a little family", is how Robyn Carthew describes the Conductive Education Unit at Naenae Primary School.

The unit caters to nine children who suffer from cerebral palsy and is the only one of its kind in the Wellington region.

Robyn is a fully qualified primary teacher who works full-time at the unit and there are seven teacher aides who rotate during the week.

Robyn admits it's a challenge sometimes but the children are the nicest anyone will ever meet.

"There's just no malice in them, they don't answer back. The best thing is every little step these kids take is a big step for us. It's a privilege for us to work with them."

Students are "mainstreamed" for some activities, with assemblies and major school events being times when everyone gets together

"It's great for the other kids as well to see and be able to hang out with the unit kids." says Robyn.

Mainstreaming kids into academic classes is done on a case by case basis, which might work for one child but not for someone more severely disabled.

"In the unit we teach them everything from toilet training and walking to physical, life and academic skills. It might sound corny but there's a lot of love and commitment in this unit and that's what keeps us going."

Based on an article appearing in Hutt News 27^th May 2008