Donna Jean (DJ) and MOVE, written by her mom, Marjie
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Hi,
Donna Jean has semi lobar holoprosencephaly and cerebral palsy. She has major physical delays.
DJ is very interested in all that goes on around her. She is 6 1/2 years old. I believe MOVE based programs are one of the best for Donna Jean. Donna Jean started school before she was 2, and her teacher was a strong believer in the MOVE methods. Movement, and upright positioning were used throughout the school day. The children were encouraged to change positions and to do as much as possible for themselves. Some could move about on their own, and some needed the help of an adult or equipment.
DJ used a Rifton mobile prone stander. A classmate would "help" her roll around to the many learning centers. Under constant supervision, she loved these activities. This also gave her class friend the opportunity to help others. (He was in the class for language delays). The classroom was a safe environment that any child could move around in without worry of them "getting into" anything they shouldn't touch.
DJ used a gait trainer to move from her class to the music room (music is a favorite for DJ) down the hall. At two years old, she hated this walking activity most of the time. The school was small, and the teacher persistent, so DJ learned to take first prompted steps, then a few on her own, in those hallways. (DJ loves to walk at home now in a Pacer)
DJ also learned how to sit in a normal Rifton chair, at a table in her classroom. She could have lunch or finger paint, etc. in this position with her class. I feel this was much better than the standard way classes of children with special needs normally are run in our area.
In some of the later classes DJ has been in, everyone seems to be singled out. One main example that carries through almost all classes is lunch time. Lunch is a time for most children to spend together eating. Not so in the class of children with special needs. In the MOVE class, everyone sat together and ate at the same time, regardless of ability, in as normal a way as possible. (1 teacher, 1 aide, and occasional PT or OT attending the children) This was a fun, quiet time, even though all students were under the age of 3. In the Non MOVE class, some children eat alone. Those needing assistance are fed one at a time, off in the corner. The others in the class are "doing" activities, again, on their own, or with a teacher, till their turn to eat. The class seems to lose a lot of it's unity because of this way of doing things.
Another big change I have noticed in the classes that do not use MOVE as a main curriculum is the huge lack of freedom to move around. Many classrooms have no room for an able-bodied person to move around safely, much less an impulsive student, or one in a wheel chair or gait trainer. Great teaching items fill the walls or shelves. Children who can move about need to be strapped into their seats to keep them from exploring these items. (They might knock something over, and hurt someone). Other children who might be able to move with assistance, are not given the opportunity within the crowded classroom setting. Tables and desks are often in the way, so mobile equipment is not used except for pull-out therapies. I find this class setting to be far below the standard of "least restrictive environment" for many students.
Despite the obvious disadvantages of DJ's newer classroom setups, she is making progress. Her teacher and aides are very good and caring. Still, I believe DJ would be far more advanced, physically, if she had remained in a MOVE based program. MOVE is a labor intensive program, and needs dedicated, motivated staff to make it successful. I hope DJ can rejoin a MOVE based classroom, but at this time there are none available in our area that I am aware of. I recommend it for all children with physical issues. It was the best thing for DJ, and we still use many of the methods we learned from that first teacher at home. (Especially as DJ has little opportunities to move at school outside of PE & therapy sessions) Hope you are well, and this gives some insight to our MOVE experiences.
Marjie Wolfe
PS:
A great memory of her in the mobile prone is DJ dancing with her uncle. He could spin her around in circles. This was one of the first times he really seemed to have a fun time interacting with Donna Jean as a toddler in an age appropriate way.
It is easy to coddle and cuddle a child with special needs, but they need to move toward their full potential too.... No person can reach their full potential without going through many lessons. We do coddle DJ some days, and with tough love get through other days. She is the youngest of 4 girls in our home, all of whom we expect "their personal best" from. We believe that every person should strive for the best in all they do. If one tries only for second place one will never reach their full potential!
Marjie
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