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The Peterson Family Foundation is working to bring music therapy programs to kids and teens
across the country who find themselves in hospital care.
Music has been used by humans as a healing tool for hundreds of years.
Music therapy has been shown to be effective for patients of all ages and for a variety of
illnesses.
Music is motivating
In my private practice, I primarily work with children who have Autism spectrum disorders or
intellectual disabilities. Music therapy in my clinic often looks like “fun.” And it is fun! That’s how
children learn! Often, the music strategies are so motivating that my clients don’t realize they are
“working” on their speech or comprehension skills. They are “working” on increased motor skills.
They are “working” on their social skills!
Music can carry information
How did you learn your ABCs? Or the states and their capitals? By pairing a melody with
targeted information, music therapy can help my clients retain that information when they
otherwise might not be able to remember.
Music uses the whole brain
Music is processed on both sides of the brain. When a person is engaged in music activities, the
brain is actively firing more neurons and increasing the opportunity for development and learning.
Music therapy
for kids with
disabilities
by Trine Roald - Head of Medical Marketing on October
20
Music plays a big part in most people’s lives. It can be relaxing, spark
certain feelings and increase quality of life. For people with disabilities,
music has several advantages and can help to develop mental, physical
and social abilities.
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based use of music to establish a
therapeutical relationshipbetween an individual and his or her therapist.
Through the therapy, the child and the therapist are trying to accomplish a
set of individualised goals. These goals can vary from person to person,
but are usually tied to creating positive changes in behaviour and emotional
well-being.
Unlike music training and classes, the goal is not necessarily to emerge
from the therapy with higher musical talent, but rather to meet the goals set
– which can be everything from increasing one's self-esteem, to developing
a set of social skills.
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When choosing goals, techniques and activities, the therapist will have to
take the child’s overall health, emotional state, cognitive and social abilities
into consideration.
For the therapy to be successful, it’s vital for the therapist to get a musical
connection with the child. This happens by trying to find the child’s musical
preferences, and make use of musical techniques and activities such as
singing, song writing, listening, dancing and playing. These activities can
also be organised as group activities, where the children get to interact and
have fun together.
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Improvements in speech and language can come from singing along with
songs, which can improve a child’s fluency as well as loudness, breathing
and pitch. Singing songs can also increase the ability to learn and
memorise. In that sense it functions as cognitive training.
In addition, music therapy can be a great way of getting the child to move,
thus improving motor coordination and relieving tight muscles.
Last, but not least, music therapy can bring a lot of joy and happiness to a
child. Being able to sing, dance and move–essentially being able to
express oneself–can be very fulfilling and giving. Considering all the
benefits that come with music therapy, it surely is worth considering for
your child.
Pain management
Physical rehabilitation
Anxiety and stress reduction
Self expression
Family support
Relaxation
Adapt music to be appropriate for infants who are able to tolerate only minimal levels
of stimulation
Encourage family involvement through singing along, rocking their baby
Teach families how to use music to encourage growth and development
Toddlers/preschool age: Music therapy for very young children encourages
creative expression of emotions, opportunities for choices and control, and ways to
cope with their hospital experience. Music therapy can also help provide distraction
during uncomfortable procedures. A music therapist may provide opportunities to
play and choose instruments such as drums, shakers, xylophones and harmonicas.
Playing and listening to familiar songs can create a feeling of security for toddlers
and preschoolers while promoting active engagement in their hospital experience.
School-age: Music therapy for school-age kids can be similar to interventions
provided for younger children, but older children may be able to engage in more
complex interventions such as songwriting, free improvisation and guided relaxation
techniques. A school-aged child may be able to engage in projects which take more
than one session to complete, such as writing and recording an original song or
learning a simple song on the guitar or xylophone. These interventions can promote
mastery and self-esteem as well as encourage involvement in their health care
experience.
Teens: Music therapy for teens can be helpful for actively processing feelings and
emotions associated with illness, developing techniques to cope with anxiety and
pain, and providing normative musical experiences. Teens may engage in:
Songwriting
Creation of CDs and/or playlists
Lyric analysis to promote emotional processing, relaxation or movement goals
Guided relaxation and learn techniques to be used outside of the music therapy
session
Family sessions: Family participation is encouraged in all sessions to the degree
that the family desires. Siblings and family members are encouraged to sing, play
instruments, and actively engage in the music therapy process. Family and siblings
may benefit from an opportunity to participate in a creative, supportive outlet, which
can reduce stress and promote well-being.
Collaboration with other hospital disciplines: Music therapists may
collaborate with various other hospital disciplines such as physical, occupational, and
speech therapy; integrative medicine; chaplaincy; and child life. For example, a
music therapist may co-treat during an occupational therapy session, encouraging
grasp or fine motor skills through instrument play.