The MOVE Programme

MOVE is an activity based programme which uses the combined knowledge of education, therapy and family to teach severely disabled children the skills of sitting, standing, walking and transferring, to the very best of their ability.

Why is the MOVE Programme different?

• MOVE is based on the principle that we have to be able to move in order to learn about our environment, spatial concepts and cause and effect.

• MOVE does not exclude any children on the basis of the severity of their disability, whether learning or physical

• It focuses on a team approach and uses the knowledge of everyone who works with each child e.g. parents, teachers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, classroom assistants and carers.

• It uses a top down functional approach that focuses on activities that people are motivated to achieve, rather than what they cannot do. 

• By focusing on what each individual wants to achieve (be it to play football with their friends or to eat dinner with their family), the skills have greater purpose and meaning and the child is more motivated to learn. 

• It can be delivered at every opportunity at home, at school and in the community so the child has multiple opportunities to practice skills in a familiar environment.

• Some specialised equipment is used as a tool for learning with prompts reduced as the child gains new skills. The benefits of independent mobility remain within the child rather than a piece of equipment.

• Anyone can practice and implement the MOVE programme after successfully completing a two-day training course.

These are all key factors providing the best possible chance for a person with severe physical disabilities to learn skills, and to retain them for as long as possible