MOVE International

MOVE International seeks to improve the overall quality of life for people with disabilities (regardless of age or cause of disability) and the people who care for them. MOVE promotes fuller participation in homes, schools, work, day programs and community life to encourage the dignity and hope such participation brings.

Jennifer Jacob

What is MOVE™?

  • A philosophy - a way of life

  • A collaborative effort between the learner/families/care providers and professionals

  • A structured program that provides a framework to assess and measure gross motor skills

  • A top-down approach that looks at the skills the individual already possesses and teaches the skills necessary to become independent in a given activity at their highest functional level

  • A form of teaching that embeds skill practice throughout the individual's day in functional activities.

  • A data collection system that demonstrates acquirement of gross motor skills.

History

Developed in the 1980s by a special education teacher, D. Linda Bidabe in Bakersfield, CA for school age children with significant motor impairments. In the early 2000s, a pilot study was done by Drs. Keith/Stacie Whinnery at Chesapeake Care Resources for adults with development and motor impairments. This pilot proved that the MOVE Program was beneficial regardless of age

MOVE in action

Children and adults with multiple disabilities and their care providers and educators - benefit from innovative techniques and trainings of the MOVE Program. Many individuals who had little hope now have opportunities for inclusion within families, agencies, schools and centers, and communities.

SIT

SIT to eat participate in activities, education, and even employment;

STAND

STAND such as washing at a sink, food prep, and upright toileting;

WALK

WALK to move to participate in play or complete tasks (with and without support);

TRANSITIONS

TRANSITION from bed to chair, sitting to standing, etc.

Quick Facts...

An activity-based program that combines therapy with an instructional process designed to help individuals acquire increasing amounts of motor skills needed for sitting, standing, walking and transitioning

Anyone, regardless of age or cognitive level, who is not independently sitting, standing, walking or transitioning.

The MOVE Program is meant to be implemented by family members, teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, direct support staff, etc... All training on how to use the MOVE Program is arranged through MOVE International

The MOVE Program is designed to occur in all environments i.e. schools (regardless if they are center-based or general education sites), adult day programs, assisted living communities/nursing care centers, the home, and the community

The individual practices sitting, standing, walking and transitioning during naturally occurring opportunities throughout the day. Wheelchairs are only used when needed for transportation and walking long distances in the community.

Depending on the individual, common everyday furniture, adaptive chairs, mobile standers, gait trainers, and transitioning devices. The hope of the program is to reduce the amount of equipment an individual needs as they become more mobile and independent.

The MOVE Program includes an Assessment Profile for documenting progress and a Reference Manual. Included in the Assessment Profile is a comprehensive TOP- DOWN MOTOR MILESTONE TEST® and prompt reduction plan. This allows for easy documentation, goal writing and task analysis.

Research in the area of brain cell regeneration shows that the human brain has the ability to form new “pathways” over time with numerous repetitions. Activity-based intervention refers to practicing these movements during functional meaningfulactivities

There are MOVE Model Sites throughout the United States and in several countries overseas. These sites have been recognized by MOVE International as sites that demonstrate the MOVE Program at an exceptional level. Visitors are welcome at these sites by appointment. Contact MOVE Intl. to visit a site near you.

There is a MOVE Reference Manual that compliments the training and is needed to implement the Program. Descriptions of motor milestones and Prompt Plans that are found in the MOVE Assessment Profile and explained in detail in the MOVE Reference Manual.

Want to know more?

MOVE International hosts two-day Basic Provider training across the United States.

Dates and locations can be found on the MOVE Website:
www.move-international.org or a contracted group training can be done right at your site.

MOVE International will send a MOVE International Trainer to you. At the completion of a MOVE two-day Basic Provider training, 

The participants will be able to:

  • Implement the six steps of the MOVE Program

  • Complete a MOVE Profile Assessment

  • Choose appropriate equipment to support the individual in a given activity