Music Therapy for Neurologic Development

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Music Therapy treatment for Neurologic Development provides a variety of developmentally appropriate music experiences that can be used  in order to facilitate change and development in the areas of social skills, communication, social/emotional learning, academics, motor development, activities of daily living, and cognitive skills.
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This treatment is appropriate for children or adults with neurodevelopmental disorders including but not limited to:
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- autism spectrum disorder/Asperger's              - intellectual disabilities 
- ADHD/ADD                                                             - global developmental delays
- Down Syndrome                                                    - cerebral palsy
- dyslexia                                                                     - apraxia
Treatment Process
Phone consultation
   You will have the opportunity to share why you are seeking music therapy for yourself or loved one and get
   any questions about music therapy that you have answered. At the end of this call if it is determined that music
   therapy may be an appropriate form of treatment for the person in question, you will be able to schedule an
   assessment.
Assessment session(s)
​    Typically for developmental music therapy sessions, (3) 30 minute assessment sessions are scheduled, as it 
​    often takes 2-3 sessions for patients to open up & show what they are truly capable of. The
    length or number of assessment sessions recommended may vary depending on the patient's needs &
    abilities. 
Assessment Report & Treatment Plan
    After the Assessment Sessions have been completed, the music therapist will write an assessment report along
    with a proposed treatment plan outlining the initial goals and objectives that are appropriate to address
    through music therapy. 
Schedule Sessions & Implement Treatment Plan
     Assuming the assessment indicates music therapy is an appropriate treatment for the prospective patient, the
     first session can be scheduled.
FAQ'S
What is the typical session length & frequency?
The recommended session length & frequency is determined by the music therapist during the assessment session and depends on the developmental abilities of the patient. Recommended session lengths may be 30, 45, or 60 minutes. Recommended frequency is always at least one session per week. As with any form of therapy, the more frequently skills are worked on, the faster results are seen. 

How does scheduling work?
​Sessions are scheduled on a rolling schedule, meaning your session time is the same time and day each week. Make up sessions are possible, but available on a very limited basis. 
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Can a clinic based developmental music therapy assessment be used to get music therapy on my child's IEP?
In short, no. In order for a student to be assessed for IEP based music therapy services, a specific IEP based music therapy assessment must be conducted through the school district. Please view the page IEP Services - Information for Parents for a thorough explanation of this process.

Examples of Developmental Goals & Objectives 
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Academic 
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  • Calendar concepts
  • Letter identification and letter sounds
  • ​Number identification and counting
  • Phonics and sight words
  • Pre-academic concepts (colors, shapes, size)
  • Time telling
Cognitive

  • Executive functioning skills including:
  • Attention & focus
  • Sequencing, Planning, Organization
  • Working Memory
  • Impulse Control
  • Awareness of self
  • Flexible thinking​
Activities of Daily Living and Safety
​
  • 
Hand washing and toothbrushing
  • Manners
  • Phone number and address memorization
  • Safety and traffic sign identification
  • Toileting steps
Communication and Social Skills

  • 
Answering wh- questions (who, what, when, where, why)​
  • Conversation skills
  • Increasing phrase length
  • Sharing & turn taking
  • Requesting, labeling, and describing
  • Speech initiation
  • Vocabulary development
Motor Development
​
  • 
Bilateral body movement
  • Fine motor skills
  • Directional and spatial concepts  (left, right)
  • Motor planning and sequencing
  • Stretching and range of motion
Behavior and Emotional Well-Being​
​​
  • 
Anger management
  • Classroom rules
  • Self-expression
  • Self-regulation
 and relaxation
  • Understanding of emotions