Music Therapy was identified early on as an intervention to help great impairments of functioning, reducing levels of anxiety, and as a way to improve emotional responsiveness (Wasserman, 1972). Through music therapy, there have been numerous positive outcome such as improvements in social functioning, social awareness, social cooperation, and a decrease of disruptive behaviors. This therapy is a tool to help improve communication deficits and stimulate nonverbal communication.
Music therapy's major application is working with children who have serious emotional disturbances and high degrees of impulsivity and limited ability to self-regulate (Layman, 2002). Some of the techniques used in music therapy for the emotionally disturbed children are: live music production, improvisation, guided imagery, and creative songwriting and lyric analysis. The techniques that are used are based on an individual treatment plan that include goals and measurable objectives. Each session of music therapy usually lasts 30-60 minutes based on the setting and the plan.
For children and adolescents with emotional disturbance, music therapy can:
- Facilitate positive self-concept and improve self-esteem
- Facilitate communication and self-expression, both verbal and nonverbal
- Increase appropriate social behaviors
- Facilitate relaxation and reduce reverse of tension and anxiety
Music therapy's major application is working with children who have serious emotional disturbances and high degrees of impulsivity and limited ability to self-regulate (Layman, 2002). Some of the techniques used in music therapy for the emotionally disturbed children are: live music production, improvisation, guided imagery, and creative songwriting and lyric analysis. The techniques that are used are based on an individual treatment plan that include goals and measurable objectives. Each session of music therapy usually lasts 30-60 minutes based on the setting and the plan.
For children and adolescents with emotional disturbance, music therapy can:
- Facilitate positive self-concept and improve self-esteem
- Facilitate communication and self-expression, both verbal and nonverbal
- Increase appropriate social behaviors
- Facilitate relaxation and reduce reverse of tension and anxiety
Down below you can enjoy watching a video clip of a music therapist working with
several different children with special needs. Enjoy!
several different children with special needs. Enjoy!