Benefits of Music Therapy
Music therapy can be a powerful tool for students with disabilities. It promotes physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. It may also be used to address a variety of needs and challenges including: communication and social skills, sensory integration, motor coordination, emotional regulation, and academic achievement.
Research has shown that music therapy can have a positive impact on students with disabilities by improving communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder, enhancing motor coordination in children with cerebral palsy, and reducing anxiety and depression in children with mental health disorders.
Music therapy interventions can be tailored to meet the specific needs of individual students, taking into account their strengths and challenges. For example, a student with limited verbal communication skills might use music to express emotions or communicate in a nonverbal way. A student with sensory processing difficulties might use music to regulate their sensory system and improve attention and focus. Therapy can be accomplished through the integration of activities such as listening to music, singing, playing instruments, or doing relaxation techniques.
Music therapy can be integrated in a variety of settings including: schools, hospitals, and community-based programs. A music therapist will typically work closely with teachers, parents, and other professionals involved in the student’s care to develop and implement a personalized treatment plan. According to Primary Children’s Music Therapy experts, “In the pediatric medical setting, music therapy can be used by patients and their families to:
- Improve neurological development
- Improve speech and language
- Develop fine and gross motor development
- Improve coping skills
- Normalization of environment
- Eliminating or decreasing sedation for procedures
- Legacy creation/memory making
- Procedural support
- Pain management
- Increasing control over environment
- Emotional self-expression
Overall, music therapy can be a valuable tool for individuals with disabilities, helping them to achieve their full potential and improve their quality of life. Visit the Utah Association of Music Therapists website to find a provider in your area. https://uamt.org/directory/
Video link https://youtu.be/wXcmWwSQGI4
“Music therapists at Primary Children’s Hospital provide music therapy services throughout the hospital. Music therapists use specifically designed interventions created for each patient, to assist with procedural support, rehabilitative needs, emotional, spiritual and psychological support. Many services are provided by the music therapist at the patient’s bedside, but PCH also has a unique music therapy space dedicated for patients, families and staff to meet with the music therapy team.” music therapy team.” Home Medical Portal
