Special Educational Needs
Special Needs and Music Therapy
Music Therapy can address a number of sensory needs for children and adults with special needs as it provides concrete, multi-sensory stimulation (auditory, visual, and tactile). For example, the rhythmic component of music can assist in the cognitive organisation of sensory systems for those individuals diagnosed with autism. As a result, auditory processing and other sensory-motor, perceptual/ motor, gross and fine motor skills can be enhanced through Music Therapy.
Music therapy sessions can support the development of skills such as:
- Release and exploration of emotions
- Listening and turn-taking
- Non-verbal and verbal communication
- Use of both gross and fine motor movements
- Sequential memory and recall of information
- Self-management of behaviour
- Verbal discussion
- Active, improvised music making (using both instruments and voice)
