Music plays an important role in most people's lives. It can be relaxing, evoke certain feelings, and enhance quality of life. For people with disabilities, music has several benefits and can help develop mental, physical, and social skills.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is the evidence-based use of music to establish a therapeutic relationship between an individual and their therapist.
Through therapy, the child and therapist work toward a set of individualized goals. These goals may vary from person to person, but are generally linked to creating positive changes in behavior and emotional well-being.
For some children with disabilities, communication can be challenging and difficult, which can lead to feelings of isolation. Music therapy is an opportunity not only to develop skills but also to experience a real connection with another human being. In many ways, it allows the child to be seen and acknowledged.
Unlike music training and classes, the goal isn't necessarily to emerge from therapy with greater musical talent, but rather to achieve established goals, which can range from increasing self-esteem to developing a set of social skills.
How can you help children with disabilities?
According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy can strengthen and reinforce areas of speech, cognitive skills, motor coordination, and range of motion.
Improvements in speech and language can come from singing along, which can improve a child's fluency, as well as volume, breathing, and pitch. Singing songs can also increase the ability to learn and memorize. In that sense, it functions as cognitive training.
Additionally, music therapy can be a great way to get your child moving, improving motor coordination and relieving tense muscles.
Last but not least, music therapy can bring a child great joy and happiness. Being able to sing, dance, and move—essentially, being able to express themselves—can be very rewarding and generous. Considering all the benefits that come with music therapy, it's certainly worth considering for your child.
It is worth noting that children with developmental and communication difficulties respond to musical stimulation more than any other type of stimulation. In this regard, VICON Method It is a structured and intensive learning program for children that begins with the essential levels of early development and continues through the final and most complex stages of communication. The musical environment fosters social relationships in a natural way, as a means of interaction and communication at both verbal and nonverbal levels. Listening to music is an action that involves virtually all the cognitive functions necessary for learning.Attention, Imitation, Memory and Concentration)