The Feuerstein Centrum Nederland (Feuerstein Centre the Netherlands) works with children and adults with challenges in learning and development. A dedicated group of professionals at the centre works with children to further develop their learning potential. To accomplish this, the interdisciplinary team uses the Feuerstein method to stimulate the cognitive development of children, adolescents, and adults. At the centre we share the belief of Professor Feuerstein that everyone can learn. Clients include children, adolescents and adults with developmental disorders such as Down syndrome, autism, and ADHD, but also clients with learning disabilities or who are gifted underachievers, among others.
Since its foundation in 1997, the Feuerstein Centrum Nederland uses the theories and materials developed by Professor Feuerstein to support children in their cognitive development. In 2016, the centre was incorporated into Cordaan, one of the major providers of healthcare in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This has further broadened the reach of the Feuerstein Centrum Nederland and has resulted in wider availability and accessibility of the Feuerstein method.
At the Feuerstein Centrum Nederland, clients can be assessed with the dynamic assessment instruments of Feuerstein, the Learning Propensity Assessment Device (LPAD), to map out their cognitive strengths and weaknesses. The LPAD includes support during the assessment, to gain an understanding of the type of help or instruction a child can use to improve on its performance. This also provides information on the amount of help a child needs. This helps to identify the deficiencies in cognitive functioning and formulate a focus for treatment. Usually, the Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment program (FIE) is used as a tool to address deficiencies, and develop underlying functions that facilitate learning. This way, children can learn to more efficiently use their cognitive facilities to benefit from learning situations. This enables them to learn more independently.
Aside from the direct work with clients, the Feuerstein Centrum Nederland offers a course for parents to familiarize them with the basic concepts of the Feuerstein theory, and support them in developing a more stimulating interaction with their children. The Feuerstein Centrum Nederland is also an authorized training centre for the Feuerstein method, which means that it can provide training to professionals who want to stimulate their clients in their cognitive development.