Music Therapy

1. Music Therapy http://www.musictherapyireland.com/special-needs

2. Music Therapy is a proven effective intervention for children and adults with additional needs, such as those with: • ​​ • Physical or intellectual disability • Learning difficulties • Expressive communication difficulties • Developmental delay • Syndromes such as Down, Rett, Tourette, Fragile X

3. People with special needs may find it hard to truly express themselves and efficiently communicate with those around them, due to lack of expressive language. They can lose their whole sense of identity, as a result.  ​ • ​ • In non-verbal people, vocalisations reflect their desire to communicate, although most of the time these make no sense to others

4. This is where music can help;  • By becoming a powerful means of expression that the person can use to share their thoughts, ideas, feelings and inner emotions; and also to improve their physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills. • Music can be the medium through which people with special needs can learn how to fully express themselves, with or without speaking, interact and communicate in a safe and creative space.

5. Cognitive ​ • Provides sensory and mental stimulation - people with learning disabilities learn better when several senses are activated during the process • Enhances learning, attention and memory skills through imitation and repetitive structure of the session • Facilitates the development of cognitive skills (e.g. cause and effect, conceptualising and symbolising)​​ • Can be used to help improve structure and routine in the person’s daily life

6. Physical ​ • Increases mobility, strength, body awareness and muscle control​​​​​​​​​​ through movement to music • Helps in pain management​​​​​​​​​​ by directing the person’s attention to enjoyable experiences • Improves functional and motor skills​​​​​​​​​​ (e.g. fine motor control, hand-eye co-ordination) through instrument playing and movement to music

7. Social​ • Promotes engagement and social interaction​​​​​​​​​​ with family and peers • Provides an additional means of communication ​​​​​​​​​​when cognitive or language abilities are limited • Enhances communication and social skills (e.g. eye contact, turn taking, listening) through active music making and group music-based activities • Promotes speech ​​​​​​​​​​through vocalisation, the use of images and songs with repetitive elements • Provides the person with the enjoyment ​​​​​​​​​​of participation and helps to decrease feelings of social withdrawal, isolation and depression

8. Upon assessment of the person's strengths and needs, our therapists design individualised programmes to help clients (groups or individuals) to meet their established goals. Treatment plans are evaluated on an ongoing basis. • Common goals include: • To increase attention span • To enhance vocalisations • To help with emotional regulation • To improve social skills • To promote self-esteem • To provide sensory stimulation

9. To encouraging one to enjoy music and see it as a way to express their abilities and be in control • To enhance receptive and expressive language​ • To freely express themselves and engage as an equal partner ​ • To experience being listened to and waited for • To promote physical skills • To reduce anxiety levels and increase creativity • But most of all, to enjoy a better quality of life

10. Emotional ​ • Enhances self-esteem​​​​​​​​​​ and sense of achievement ​​​​​​​​​​by providing opportunities for choice and control • Facilitates expression ​​​​​​​​​​of feelings/emotions through singing, song writing and instrument playing • Provides psychological support ​​​​​​​​​​to clients and their families • Improves mood, motivation, and overall well-being​​​​​​​​​​​ • Reduces agitation and anxiety and promotes relaxation ​​​​​​​​​​and positive behaviours • Promotes parent-child bonding​​​​​​​​​​, improves family interactions and support