Photo of a child strengthening receptive language skills by responding to song, dated 2003.

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.

  
 


Music therapy sessions consist of interactive music strategies—songs, rhythm, movement and instruments—during which the child must complete tasks relating to individualized goals. Music in this context provides an initial assist and motivation to the individual's learning through music cueing, followed by fading of the music to aid in generalization. We support a scientific framework of music therapy, utilizing the following treatment model (Thaut, 2000) to facilitate functional outcomes:

  • diagnostic and functional assessment of the client
  • development of therapeutic goals / objectives
  • design of functional, nonmusical therapeutic exercises and stimuli
  • translation of step three into functional, therapeutic music experiences
  • transfer of therapeutic learning to real-world applications

Transformational Design Model for Functional Music Therapy Practice. Thaut, MH ( 2000 ). A scientific model of music therapy and medicine. San Antonio : MRI.

 
 
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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