Let's Move It
Daniel is eight years old. He’s in second grade in a self-contained classroom with inclusion time each day in the regular ed class with his peers. Overall, I am happy with his school situation. We are lucky enough to have MOVE (Mobility Opportunities Via Education) in our school. This means that he walks frequently throughout the day using his walker; he stands every day in a stander; he bicycles, and he is generally given as many opportunities to move as possible. We wouldn’t have this program, though, if it weren’t for a dedicated teacher at our school.
Elizabeth trained in California to be a MOVE instructor. She advocated for the program, and she continues to lead it with a lot of enthusiasm and hard work. We love her for that.
SInce the physical piece of Daniel's school day is well attended to, my focus is on communication. I had to fight to get related services into his IEP. On each and every form that I’m asked to state what my goals are for my son, I write “that he learn communication skills.” It has seemed like a large order with little to no delivery.
Because of this, I was thrilled when I attended a workshop in February 2007 called “Every Move Counts” that focuses on communication rather than language. It is custom made for children like Daniel who have profound disabilities. It was designed as a result of 33 months of research funded by the National Institutes of Health and funded through the National Institutes for the Neurologically and Communicatively Disordered, and states that “only when communication is recognized and consistently reinforced will those with severe physical, sensory-motor, communicative and developmental differences find the effort to communicate worthwhile”.
So now that I’ve learned about this beautifully researched sensory-based program, I need to push and pull to get it started for Daniel. I’ve already hit major roadblocks. The teachers (notably Elizabeth, who spearheaded MOVE) are behind me. They know the importance of teaching our kids communication skills, and they’re aware of how little there has been until now that truly makes a difference in this area. Finding trained therapists willing to drive this car onto the highway is another story. But I am undaunted.
I don’t expect miracles. I do expect that Daniel will be given every opportunity at his disposal to learn to let us know what he needs. Currently, he waits or whines. These are the typical behaviors of someone who has no other choice when it comes to letting you know that they need to pee or poop or that they simply want a glass of water.
I’m optimistic about Every Move Counts. I’m in contact with Jane Korsten, one of the researchers and authors of the course. She’s another blessing in the world of profound disability, and how I wish there were more like her. Come hell or high water, Daniel will benefit from this research and the innovative ways of teaching him to communicate. We will get it moving!
Carolyn Murray
