Photo of a happy child singing, a technique used to promote speech skills.

more overview topicsThis page defines the use of music to achieve non-musical learning goals.This page describes strategies, tasks, goals, motivation, and musical assistance.This group of pages describes three goal headings and offers examples of typical goals that therapists set.This page describes the successful use of music therapy to help specific diagnoses of disability.This page offers results of research that validates the use of music therapy in special education and with specific diagnoses of disability.

  
 

Communication | Social Interaction
Because singing and speech share many similarities, yet are accessed differently by the brain, music strategies can be used as a means to functional communication and interaction. Expressive and receptive language can be approached by embedding desired responses into song lyrics, followed by fading of the music. Rhythmic structure also provides necessary timing cues to aid in speech intelligibility for certain individuals. In addition, preferred songs, chants, and instruments can be used as motivational tools to elicit eye contact, cause / effect skills, and peer interaction.

Cognitive | Academic goals

 Motor Abilities goals

Behavior goals







Condition
Behavior
Criteria
Mastery
 		 





Communication Goal Example

Using functional language songs,
Jenny will describe a picture
using a three-word phrase
in four of five trials. 		 
 
Pages under this topic heading describe our professional qualifications and approaches to treating children with special needs. Pages under this topic heading describe music therapy and how we use music to achieve goals in treating children with various diagnoses. Pages under this topic heading describe our individual and group music therapy, consultation, music lessons, funding, and workshop services. This page offers parents and educators free downloadable documents, filled with explanations of dozens of music therapists' tips for using music to treat children with special needs. Pages under this topic heading list links to dozens of quality online resources available to parents and educators of children with special needs. This page lists noteworthy new music therapy services and current regional music therapy events.  
     
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