I like to move it, move it
When it comes to supporting people with a learning disability to engage in activities of daily living and creating a space to help improve their health and wellbeing, a learning disability service in Camden is making positive moves. Naomi Burke explains.
W hether you’ re young, old, or somewhere in between, you will most likely enjoy the DreamWorks film Madagascar, which features the song‘ I Like to Move it Move it’; watch the film, listen to the music, dance to the track!
This is not, however, a film review. Instead, I’ d like to introduce you to a health initiative led by a working group of multidisciplinary professionals at the Camden Learning Disability Service that I was part of, and which was named after the song.
What’ s this health initiative about?
The initiative approaches the issue of obesity for individuals with learning disabilities in a new, fun and affordable way, with far-reaching results. It has been described as genuinely life-changing for people, in a very real way.
It meets the core role of occupational therapy by supporting people with a learning disability to engage in activities of daily living, creating a space to help improve people’ s health and wellbeing.
But its impact goes beyond that. On a personal and professional level, it has also helped me to meet a number of professional standards, by allowing me to work collaboratively, create personalised intervention plans and recommendations, and to keep accurate records of interventions.
How did it come about?
Individuals with learning disabilities often have to deal with poor physical and mental health issues, premature deaths and barriers to accessing health
28 OTnews September 2025