Re: music therapy info- Cathy

[Guest guest]

Stacey, thank you for this music therapy information.

I come from a family for whom music came easily so I guess I'm just a bit

puzzled as to why all the things described are not intuitively supplied to

children by their parents. Playing music, singing songs, implementing rhymes

in song or in chant form, dancing around the living room (or anywhere) to

music whether holding a young one in arms or not...and that's just at home.

Even the dullest preschools I've serviced as a speech pathologist have had

lots of movement, singing, hand clapping, acting out of nursery rhymes, etc.

It's great that there are musicians who have formalized this, as I imagine

there are plenty of parents who cannot carry a tune, are not at all

musically inclined, without even a sense of rhythm. And I've met a

surprisingly large number of little ones who don't know any, not any,

nursery rhymes...of course, no one in their family has given them that gift.

Also, many parents I've met think music lessons are unimportant while others

make it a vital part of their childrens' lives.

Dr. Sacks is correct in his statement that older people especially, in his

words, need music. Knowing his writings, I'd be willing to bet he was

speaking of adults who were brain damaged, perhaps by stroke. Other than his

name, I don't see the source of what you cite, though it sounds as though it

comes from a brochure given by a music therapist, perhaps, to a facility for

consideration of employment of said therapist.

Could you please tell me its origin or basis in research? Thanks. Vera

[Guest guest]

Stacey:

This sounds wonderful! My question for you is how do I

get music therapy into my dd IEP? Any ideas?

Thanks, Martha

--- Stacey <staceydaniel@...> wrote:

> Music Therapy for People with Developmental

> Disabilities

>

> A Rationale

>

> The degree, type, and number of deficits in

> life skill areas

> ehibited by persons with developmental disabilities

> are unique to

> each individual. Music therapy experiences are

> constructed to meed

> these individual needs. Because all music therapy

> experiences are

> adaptable for use in group settings, many different

> needs can be

> serviced with the same experience.

>

> A substantial body of published literature

> concludes that music

> therapy is a viable mode of treatment for this

> population. Hanser

> summarizes the literature on music therapy with this

> population by

> saying, " No matter how profound the disability music

> therapy enhances

> functional abilities while simultaneously enriching

> creative and

> expressive capacities. Enabling each person to

> participate in some

> way at his/her own level of competence, a music

> experience challenges

> growth....using a success oriented medium. "

> (Hanser.1987. Music

> Therapist's Handbook.) All persons possess the

> ability to experience

> music in ways that can improve the quality of life,

> no matter their

> level of functioning in life skill areas. They

> simply need a support

> system to tap into their own natural resources.

>

> Used as a therapeutic tool, music:

>

> effects direct contact on a psychological basis with

> people, even

> those who are often unreachable

>

> facilitates expression in people who are nonverbal

> or have deficits

> in communication skills

>

> provides the opportunity for experiences that open

> the way for, and

> motivate learning

>

> creates the opportunity for positve,successful, and

> pleasurable

> social experiences

>

> developes an awareness of self, others, and the

> environment

>

> Music therapy can help individuals reach their

> full potential.

> The music is not used as a background to therapy,

> but as the primary

> medium for expression. Many hidden skills come

> alive during a music

> therapy session because of the non-threatening,

> creative nature of

> music itself. Dr. Oliver Sacks says, " Including

> music therapy is no

> luxury, it's essential. " (1997. Music Therapy for

> Older Adults.)

>

> FAQ's about Music Therapy

>

> What is Music Therapy?

>

> Music therapy is the prescribed use of music and

> music experiences by

> a trained professional to enable people to attain

> better physical,

> psychological, emotional, and/or spiritual health.

> It is, simply

> put, music experiences, implements by a music

> therapist, for positive

> health changes

>

> How are Music Therapists trained?

>

> There are at least 3 levels to the training and

> education of a music

> therapist. First requirement is completion an an

> approved collegiate

> program. Minimum degree requirement is a bachelor's

> degree. Second

> requirement is successful completion of a supervised

> internship. This

> internship can be done in a number of different

> settings across the

> country. Final requirement is a passing grade on

> the Board

> Certification Exam for Music Therapists. The CBMT

> is an independent

> body that establishes policies, procedures, and

> standards for board

> certification in music therapy. Further training in

> many areas is

> available through graduate studies and various,

> independent training

> facilities.

>

> Who do Music Therapists work with?

>

> Music therapists work with people of all ages with

> any variety of

> needs. Some common populations served by music

> therapists :

>

> Children, adolescents, adults, and/or older adults

> coping with:

> autism, speech impairments, physical disabilities,

> emotional

> disorders, Parkinson's, general dementia problems,

> Alzheimer's,

> developmental disabilities, pyschiatric conditions,

> terminal

> illnesses, behavioral problems

>

> Where do Music Therapists work?

>

> Almost everywhere. They can be found in homes,

> schools, hospitals,

> geriatric facilities, daycare/treatment centers,

> hospices, private

> offices, mental health centers, forensic facilities,

> group homes, and

> early intervention programs around the world

>

> What do Music Therapists do?

>

> Thes same duites as other health professionals, only

> through musical

> means. Assessment of relevant areas through musical

> responses,

> planning, of goal oriented music sessions,

> implementation of those

> plans, and evaluation of clients' progress. Non

> musical skills are

> assessed,worked at, and evaluated through musical

> experiences.

>

> What can be expected during a Music Therapy session?

>

> During a session many different music experiences

> may be utilized.

> Singing, improvisation, movement to music, lyric,

> anlaysis,

> composition, and performance are all possible

> ingrediants in the

> music therapy session plan. Every session is

> planned and implemented

> for that particular group and/or person. Because of

> this, no two

> sessions will be the same, though they may include

> similar experiences

>

> MUSIC THERAPY INFORMATION SHEET

>

> Example goal areas of music therapy include:

>

> Communication: Through vocal improvisation and

> pre-composed songs

> addressing development and learning, individual can

> increase:

> Exploration of vocal range and abilities

> Experiementation vith verbalizations

> Expressive and receptive language skills

> Articulation and speech/language rhythm patters

>

> Cognitve: Through improvisations and question/answer

> learning songs

> individuals can increase:

> recall and sequencing

> logice and cause/effect relationships

> processing abilities

>

> Sensorimotor: Through instrument playing and

> singing, individuals can

> increase:

> fine motor and grasping skills

> gross motor and range of motion abilities

> diaphragmatic motor skills

> lip closure

>

> Affective/Emotional: Through active music making

> and song writing

> individuals can increase:

> effective verbal expression of emotions

> nonverbal forms of expression

>

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__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Martha I wish I could help you there but I have not even had an IEP meeting yet

for so I would be like the blind leading the blind. I would take

this information with you to the meeting to educate the people involved about

the benefits of music therapy though.

Stacey

>Stacey:

>This sounds wonderful! My question for you is how do I

>get music therapy into my dd IEP? Any ideas?