Music Therapy
Judith A. Osowiecki
Please tell me more about music therapy. What do you do? How does it help?
I have a 7 yr old son (well, saturday he'll be 7) with Down Syndrome. He
loves music and I really wonder if something like this could help him.
We live in CT.
Judy O.
lynda tracy f
: Lynda,
My clients currently include two children (7 yrs, 9yrs) with Down Syndrome
who I see individually, and several adults in group sessions. With the
children, I work on goals such as increasing clarity of speech (e.g. through
the use of songs which encourage repetition of the sounds that need
clarifying), lengthening concentration and attention span (perhaps through
encouraging the singing of one verse, then two verses, etc., or the
playing of an instrument for increasing durations of time), and improved
compliance with instruction (e.g. by listening for a musical cue and
acting on it). There are many other possibilities, these are just a few
examples. Development of self-esteem through successful experiences is
another area with lots of potential in music
therapy-- one of my Down Syndrome children enjoyed making up his own new
words to a familiar tune, and "notating" it with his own drawings. He
also enjoys improvising music on a selection of instruments while I try
to express his sounds in movement (he agrees that I'm not a very good
dancer!)
In the adult groups, the goals may be more in the areas of development of
social skills, purposeful and age-appropriate leisure time activities,
decision-making skills, and opportunities to assume the leadership of a
group (for example, conducting the group while they sing or play, or
singing a solo for the applause of the rest of the group).
Hope this answers some of your questions!
In the USA, to find a music therapist in your area you can contact:
American Association for Music Therapy
c/o Katie HArtley, Exec. Director
P.O. Box 80012
Valley Forge, PA 19484
215-265-4006
National Association for Music Therapy
8455 Colesville Road, Suite 930
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-589-3300
I enjoy my Down Syndrome clients very much! They love music and respond
eagerly to music therapy, and I get to collect quite a few hugs as well!
Lynda Tracy, MTA
Music Therapist