The related service observed during the field experience with students with low incidence disabilities was music therapy. The observation setting provided the students with ample space and a multitude of instruments to choose from. The lights would be turned off and a string of small lights would illuminate the room along with various instruments that lit up. The music therapist was extremely engaging and encouraged the students to play with the instruments found within the room.
The students were from a low-functioning, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) transitions class and many were non-verbal. When it came time to go to music therapy, the students seemed eager. Music provides a multi-sensory stimulation that is beneficial for students with ASD. The music therapist described the
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Music therapy helps individuals with disabilities to identify and express his or her emotions as well as to assist in the development of verbal communication, speech and language skills. The data collection tool implemented to track the progress of students focused on student participation and independence levels. These levels were tracked weekly and broken down into 5 sections: Independent, Verbal, Gestural, Physical, and No Participation. Data was also collected when measuring a student’s response to musical selection and to see if a rhythm was followed in either double or triple meter.
Overall, the music therapy that was observed was truly informative. I have never been exposed to this form of therapy and I was impressed. Not only does music therapy provide students with disabilities an outlet for emotional expression, but it also helps to address student IEP goals when it comes to social skills, speech and language skills, and verbal communication. The students were receptive of the therapy and seemed to enjoy the atmosphere within the music
I knew about music therapy before my paper because I was actually going to major in it for college. It is interesting because I honestly knew so little on how and what music therapists really do in their sessions. One thing I learned and found extremely interesting was how music therapy can help children with autism identify emotions. Music therapy can help individuals identify the correct emotions and expressions of themselves and others around them. An example is if the music therapist plays a sad song, the child will internally feel a little sad inside, they can sing words or say expressions that relate to sadness, and then they can look in the mirror and see their own sad face while also looking at the music therapists sad face (Music Therapy Center of California, 2005, p. 4). I thought it was so interesting to know that music can help children understand emotions. Music therapy can help to lessen negative self-stimulation and it can increase participation and social skills among peers in more acceptable ways (American Music Therapy Association, 2012, p.1). Another big thing I learned from my research is how much music therapy can help a child with autism’s language skills. Music therapy can help children who do not have verbal language express themselves and communicate. The music can also let them participate freely. The connection between the actual music and the interaction of play, such as listening, taking turns and responding helps them with their communication skills (American Music Therapy Association, 2012, p.1). Some personal experiences that I can account for is when I volunteered for a musical theater production called Razzle Dazzle. This was a music production with adults with disabilities. Their disabilities ranged from Down syndrome, to autism, to simply just an intellectual disability. One man by the name of UNKNOWN, was a dancer in our show.
A recent study of music therapy interventions was conducted on 1,891 participants. The study was offered by music therapists and medical staff.
There are many different ways that we benefit from music. Music can inspire better self-esteem, and confidence. It’s a great way to set the mood, and a wonderful tool. Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program (Gram, 2005). Music therapy can reach out to anyone, age, race, gender it doesn’t matter. Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs can benefit from music therapy. As well as, those who have developmental and learning disabilities, those who suffer from Alzheimer's
Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by an accredited professional who as completed an approved music therapy program. “Music therapists hope that scientific research continues to define how their work differs from entertainment, and how it benefits patients as much as other more familiar complementary therapies such as art therapy.” (Mellskog) This shows how even though there is little research and evidence on music therapy, it is still very effective and a
This article defines music therapy and how it makes an impact for individuals with diagnoses on the autism spectrum. It also explains the job of the therapist and how they work with their clients.
Music Therapy- Music therapy is a systematic process of intervention wherein the therapist helps the client to promote health, using music experiences and the relationships that develop through them as dynamic forces of change. (Rafieyan, 2017)
Through musical participation in the therapeutic environment, clients ' capacities are reinforced and conveyed in other areas of their lives. Additionally, Music therapy also offers ways for communication that can be accommodating to the people who find it challenging to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people 's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings (Gregory59). Whether it is apparent at first or not music therapy interventions help the patient improve their diminishing cognitive function ability with the music that is selected as well as the intervention applied, which plays a major role in the process.
Music Therapists (MTs) borrow from a range of non-music based therapy models in their development of Music Therapy-specific treatment models. Many widely used Music Therapy (MT) techniques have their roots in psychological theories and treatment models. Cognitive Behavioural Music Therapy (CBMT) draws on the widely-used and extensively researched psychology approach, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to address CBT goals through MT interventions. Despite the many parralels between CBT and MT there is limited literature on CBMT; the existing literature indicates that CBMT may be an effective treatment for clients with a variety of needs. Improvisation in CBMT makes up an even smaller portion of the literature, however the theoretical underpinnings of the CBT approach are congruent with the use of music improvisation.
This paper works through the belief that Music Therapy can be a useful tool in increasing social, communicative, cognitive and emotional levels, as well as helping to restore and improve self-confidence and an awareness of self for both children and adolescents with ASD.
The purpose of this research report is to find out: how can music be used as a motivational tool for emotionally disturbed students. In a fifth grade Integrated Co-Teaching classroom (ICT), there are students who have special needs and students who are generalized as “normal”. In the classroom, there are six students who are on the special education spectrum. One of the students stands out because he is classified as “emotionally disturbed”. Emotional disturbance is defined under the Individuals with Disability Education Act 2004 (IDEA) as a condition that exhibits one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time that affects the child’s educational performance:
Musical therapy is a precise, evidence-based use of music to help accomplish certain goals or objectives in a therapeutic setting. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation, increasing people 's motivation to become more involved in their treatment, giving emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an way for expression of their feelings to others.
According to the American Music Therapy Association (A.M.T.A.), music therapy is “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” As a generally new and upcoming industry, music therapy is often underestimated. By incorporating different areas of the brain, music can reduce stress, ease
This research is proposed to better understand the impact of music therapy on cognition in children with Retts Syndrome. The knowledge presented is based on my own findings from a review of the empirical and theoretical literature relevant to this topic. It is important to study the effect music therapy has on Retts Syndrome candidates in order to better teach necessary knowledge needed in life.
Music therapy, a clinical use of music interventions to accomplish therapeutic goals, involves a broad range of activities including playing an instrument, singing, or listening to music. Similar to occupational and physical therapy, this expressive arts therapy remedies psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or hypertension to maintain the well-being of an individual. Likewise, music has been a therapeutic tool that has shown positive effects to parts of the brain including regions involved in emotion, sensation, movement, and cognition. Although music therapy is a somewhat new-found treatment, it is used prominently today. Administered by a trained therapist, this type of therapy is used in correctional facilities, nursing homes, hospices, and special education schools.
A song or a piece of music has the power to transform an individual and take them not only to a different state of mind, but quite possibly a different consciousness. Making or singing music also has the power to transform an individual. “There is a resemblance of music in pitch, volume, rhythm, melody and structure to the natural human expression of emotion in voice, demeanor and behavior” (Ushedo, 2006, 1). Making music can create an environment where it indirectly teaches individuals communication and social skills through the emotions brought out by the music. The social interaction between individuals with behavioral problems has been aided by using musical activities. It can “encourage or motivate communication through musical activities, which are responsive to the child to promote eye contact, turn taking, sharing, joint attention” (Stephenson, 2006, 297). While creating a calmer and more relaxed environment with musical activities, behavioral problems can be aided through the use of this form of music therapy.