Music Therapy Program Philosophy

Music To Grow On provides Music Therapy Services to children, primarily from birth to early elementary, with different developmental needs including speech delays, Cerebral palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, global delays, vision and hearing impairments, brain damage, and genetic disorders.  Children are referred to us from school districts and early intervention programs.  It is our goal to use musical experiences to help children improve communication, motor, sensory, behavioral, academic cognitive and social skills.

At Music To Grow On, we encourage all forms of communication including speech, sign language, adaptive devices, and picture communication.  We find the combination of these forms allows the child to communicate his/her needs more effectively and quickly.  Melodic Intonation Therapy methods are used to work on intonation, inflection, speech fluidity, length of utterance, and blending sounds to perform words.  The music provides the client with subtle cues to vocalize within the context of familiar and unfamiliar songs. The use of multiple verse provides for the repetition without the activity becoming monotonous.  Vocal play and improvisation is encouraged to increase vocalizations and improve vocal imitation skills.  Song choice cards combined with singing, signing, and speaking requests is encouraged in many of our sessions.  Children who do not yet have vocal skills learn to participate through the use of the Big Mack Communicator switch that allows therapists to record responses. 

Music can function in many aspects when addressing sensory and motor issues.  We incorporate the use of deep pressure during various musical activities to provide sensory input to organize and calm the child with sensory sensitivities.  We introduce instruments with various timbres and textures to address the sensory issues.  The use of manipulatives provides the child with a more multi-sensory environment.  Providing hand over hand instrument play and assistance allows the therapist to provide experiences to a child that may not respond on his/her own.  Music and movement activities can focus on gross motor skills to work on movement rhythm, transitioning from sitting to standing, or encouragement of mobility.  These activities are also employed to address impulse control, start and stop skills, independent movement, and directional movement (ie. Forward, backward, left, right, up, down, etc.) Finger plays and instrument play are important in improving fine motor movement, imitation, grasp and release, and one to one correspondence.

Music To Grow On addresses academic skills through the use of various songs whether familiar, created or adapted, to work on a specific area. Directions, single, or multi-step, are introduced through song and gradually faded as the child is able to follow them through spoken word.  Music is used as a teaching tool to focus on academics including recognition of letters, numbers, shapes, colors, space relation, and counting.  The use of musical activities can reinforce what is being taught within the classroom or in-home program and assist in generalizing skills including categorizing, spelling, math and reading.  We have used note recognition and reading music to improve reading skills and symbol recognition.

Social skills are also addressed using music.  We employ many songs with manipulatives that encourage eye contact and turn taking.  Instrument play activities provide the opportunity for interaction with siblings, parents, and therapists through sharing, taking turns, and call and response.  Songs utilized can help in identification and introduction of feelings through facial expressions and appropriate words.  Therapists at Music To Grow On use contingent music for appropriate behavior and participation.  If a child participates or shows appropriate behavior, he/she is then allowed to select an activity or instrument to play.  Instrument play and singing are also used as methods of self-stimuli that are socially appropriate and are not self-injurious.

Musical activities are also employed to focus on cognitive skills.  The use of various sounds located throughout the room can assist children in identifying sound sources and moving their body to visually find the sound.  Cause and effect is learned through instrument play, contingent music, and adapted devices.  A child is able to follow directions through listening to directives within the context of a song.  Children are generally more alert and attentive during music therapy interventions because of  the stimulating properties of the musical environment.  The verse/chorus arrangement of songs aids in sequencing skills.

Music To Grow On employs music in a variety of ways to address goals of other treatments including Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, in-home programs, and school programs.  The therapists work with various team members to find musical activities that will encourage development in the areas of need.  Music To Grow On encourages other professionals to come and observe the methods being utilized.  Often times, other professionals inquire on what is being used to elicit the responses that are produced within the Music Therapy because it is not seen in other settings.

With eleven Board Certified Music Therapists on staff, each therapist provides a different outlook on methods of incorporating music to address a variety of goals for a variety of needs.  Therapists have completed their training at a variety of institutions and have chosen to pursue different Continuing Education options.