Who can benefit from music therapy?
Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with special needs such as:
- Developmental Delays
- Learning Disabilities
- Speech and Language Impairments
- Sensory-motor deficits
- ADD/ ADHD
- Autism/ PDD
- Physical Challenges
- Mental Health Needs
- Brain Injuries
Music Therapy And Children
Music therapy with children provides a unique variety of musical experiences in an intentional and developmentally appropriate manner to effect changes in a child's behavior and facilitate development of his/her communication, social/emotional, sensory-motor, and/or cognitive skills.
Music therapy enhances the quality of life. It involves relationships between a qualified therapist and child; between one child and another; between child and family; and between the music and the participants. These relationships are structured and adapted through the elements of music to create a positive environment and set the occasion for successful growth.
How Does Music Therapy Help Families?
Music therapy can provide enjoyable yet purposeful activities and resources for families to share with their children. Families can learn to use music through meaningful play and nurturing experiences. Music therapy may serve as a positive outlet for interaction, providing fun activities that can include parents, siblings, and extended family. Often music therapy allows a family to see a child in a new light as the child's strengths are manifested in the music therapy environment.
How Does Music Therapy Make A Difference For Older Persons?
Music therapy is efficacious and valid with older persons who have functional deficits in physical, psychological, cognitive or social functioning. Research results and clinical experiences attest to the viability of music therapy even in those who are resistive to other treatment approaches. Music is a form of sensory stimulation, which provokes responses due to the familiarity, predictability, and feelings of security associated with it.
Music Therapy provides:
- Memory recall which contributes to reminiscene and satisfaction with life
- Positive changes in mood or emotional states
- Sense control over life through successful experiences
- Awareness of self and environment which accompanies increased attention to music
- Anxiety and stress reduction for older adult and caregiver
- Nonpharmacological management of pain and discomfort
- Stimulation which provokes interest even when no other approach is effective
- Structure which promotes rhythmic and continuous movement or vocal fluency as an adjunct to physical rehabilitation
- Emotional intimacy when spouses and families share creative music experiences
- Opportunities to interact socially with others