Music therapy

Children with a disability may find music therapy fun, enjoyable and something they look forward to. However, music therapy provides a range of therapeutic benefits through stimulating and enjoyable activities.

Music’s structure and predictability assist in developing responsive interaction between the music therapist and the child. This forms a base from which tolerance, flexibility and social engagement to build relationships can develop.

Clients

Music therapy is suitable for a range of disabilities including children with autistic spectrum disorder, children with Down syndrome and children with intellectual disabilities who may have a deficit with one or more of the following verbal communication, non-verbal communication, attention, emotion, cognition and behaviour.

Sessions

Harmonic Tonic Music Therapy offers music therapy sessions at schools and other institutions. Music therapy assessments are undertaken and sessions tailored to address the needs tastes and preferences of each client.

Client benefits

Music therapy for children with a disability can:

• stimulate and enhance communication
• provide an outlet for expression
• provide social interaction and reduce isolation
• improve fine and gross motor skills
• provide cognitive stimulation
• develop and sustain attention
• decrease challenging behaviour
• assist with speech development.

Music therapy techniques

Music therapy sessions may involve the following activities depending of the clients’ abilities and needs:

• singing
• playing instruments
• musical improvisation on percussion and tonal instruments
• listening to music
• requesting favourite songs
• moving/dancing to music
• song writing
• relaxation.

Equipment

Harmonic Tonic Music Therapy has a range of equipment to suit individual and small group music therapy sessions including:

• keyboard
• xylophone
• drums
• guitars
• ukuleles
• hand held percussion
• visuals
• multi-track recording software

Further information

Please feel free to contact Shaw Herron via email or telephone if you have any enquiries about music therapy or wish to make an appointment.