Why Music therapy?
Music therapy is evidence-based therapy and many researches are conducted by music therapists around the world. Within music activities, students can work on skills such as
– Social skills
– Coping skills
– Anger management
– Motor skills
– Speech language skills
– Building patience
– Non-verbal communication skills
– Fine motor skills
and lists goes on and on!
Board-certified music therapists went through American Music Therapy Association(AMTA) approved colleges or universities, completed 1200 hours or clinical work including 6 month of internship, as well as passing board certification test. MT-BC means board certified music therapist.
Learn more about music therapy at AMTA website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not just with regular piano teacher?
Music therapists are trained to see and break down the steps students are making. The main streamed method book could be frustrating and hard to understand for students with special needs because their steps are not broken down into smaller pieces. Playing piano is a very complex task for students with special needs. Piano lesson in music therapy works on fine motor skills such as moving fingers individually and hand-eye coordination. Music therapists understands and work on smaller steps where it is needed.
Can we call just listening and singing music therapy?
In short answer, no. Just listening and singing might be therapeutic in the situation where that is all they can do. There is always something we are working on while we sing or play instruments. Communication skill through music, improving speech by singing lyrics, building up patience, gross motor skills and social skills. Many aspects are working during the sessions. Many parents look over the power of recreational skill. Having something fun to do when there is nothing to do is very important. Music is accessible, universal and enjoyed by many.
Is this group or individual class?
It is a 1 to 1, in-studio lesson at my studio in Dublin. Because of COVID, all adults who come in need to be current on vaccination. Students who are able to age vaccination need to be current to reduce the risk. An all-able body needs to wear a mask in my studio. I ask students to be on top of COVID testing as well. I wear a mask during the class, The air purifier is running in the room, all the equipment are clean and sanitized between students.
My child’s verbal communication is limited. Is it okay?
Absolutely! Limited verbal skills can be frustrating to both parents and students. Even if students might be able to make sentences, do you know about their expressions and feelings? Music speaks when words fail! A lot of patience and repetition is implemented, having an outlet for them to express themselves other than words is a huge deal. Everyone wants to be understood and communicated. We work on the big items through music!
You only work with Autistic people?
I do lessons with people with special needs- whatever the special needs are. If I am not familiar with the condition, grow with me, I will utilize my knowledge and experiences to assist you in any way. I teach, but I am more of your facilitator for your success. I sing but I am not a performer. I want you to think of me as someone who we learn together because everyone’s situation is unique.