In our music therapy sessions we utilize many physical props. Physical props engage visual and tactile senses and create opportunities for choices, motor skills, attention, speech, and following directions. Small objects are great for developing reaching and grasping skills and we frequently utilize them for moving an object to one or two targets (motor control, following directions and crossing midline). Repetition is key to child development. When we add physical props i

Children in New Hampshire recently came back to school from a week of spring vacation. While vacations can be a great time to relax and recharge they are also a giant change in routine for children with autism spectrum disorders who often benefit from routine and structure. When kids return to school it can be difficult for the first few days as kids readjust to being back. Before break maybe a student could sit and engage for 30 minutes and now he is struggling to remain s

The power of entrainment is something we tap into daily when working with individuals with motor and speech challenges. Entrainment is "a temporal locking process in which one system's motion or signal frequency entrains the frequency of another." (Thaut et. al, 2014). Because entrainment occurs within motor and sensory systems in the brain, auditory rhythms can be utilized to cue movements and movement patterns. "Sound signals and rhythmic music can prime and time muscle act

"the M.I.T. team demonstrated that the speech and music circuits are in different parts of the brain’s sprawling auditory cortex, where all sound signals are interpreted, and that each is largely deaf to the other’s sonic cues, although there is some overlap when it comes to responding to songs with lyrics". Article here: New Ways into the Brain's 'Music Room' #Autism #cerebralpalsy #Mainemusictherapy #NewHampshiremusictherapy

Using sign language engages the children and gives them another or pathway, for a message to be interpreted in the brain. Sign language is part of our whole body learning approach and can aid in receptive language skills as well. We also use sign language with recorded music. Before playing the song for the first time we practice the signs. The songs we choose either have signs we've worked on previously or a repetitive chorus. Some of our favorites include: You've Got a

A multisensory approach enhances learning by engaging more of the brain. Learning that involves multiple senses offers many avenues for a message to be deciphered and information to be retained. During our music therapy sessions we utilize tactile, auditory and visual senses to teach and increase opportunities for participation. Visual: Adding a visual element can offer an additional avenue for information to be understood and retained. We create visuals for 90% of our acti

Teaching academics using rhythm and melody helps children comprehend and retain information. The different elements of music lights up many areas of the brain which can enhance receptive language and because more of our brain is activated and engaged the messages stay with us for longer. I bet you can remember many things you learned using rhythm and melody as a child. With school aged groups we often target several different academic goals throughout our sessions such as

In small group and 1:1 settings, small percussion instruments are a fun way of targeting multiple goals in one activity. Rhythm sticks are one of my favorite tools! I hand each child a bumpy and a smooth stick so that they can create two sounds, a "click" and a "zip". Rhythm sticks help children work on bilateral coordination, gross motor skills, impulse control, imitation and following directions. Following directions: Play up high, play down low Fast or slow Stop! Go! Cl

Rhythm sticks: bilateral coordination, following directions, impulse control, gross motor imitation Sensory cushion: sensory input, core strengthening, calming/regulation Visuals: engagement, facilitates learning and comprehension Egg shakers: gross motor, following directions, impulse control, cross lateral movement Weighted lap pads: sensory input, regulation, calming Drums: bilateral coordination, social (passing/sharing/turn taking), following directions, impulse control

Many children and adults need movement and sensory input to fully engage their brains for learning. Some people may knit to help them focus, doodle in class, or bob a pen up and down in a meeting. Others might walk a mile in loops around their kitchen while on a phone call. These types of activities allow their brains to focus, listen and learn. In a setting where children must remain seated and focused, small fidget tools can provide the sensory input and movement some ch

Weighted lap pads and weighted stuffed animals are great for calming the nervous system, increasing sensory input for sensory seeking kids, and increasing proprioceptive input. The deep pressure is soothing to children and can decrease sensory overload and aid in regulating the body. I recently made a few for my classroom groups and found an inexpensive way to make several. I am not an expert on a sewing machine so knew I didn't want to sew each individual sack of filler fo

Anxiety is common among children I see throughout the week. In a classroom setting anxiety can be raised by noise, other students, bright lights, not knowing what is coming next or how long the current activity will go on for. Anxiety can become exacerbated with a change in routine at school or at home or even on the way to school. During music therapy sessions we work on calming/grounding techniques using songs and chants. Why teach skills with a song? Singing lights up

Playing music or singing together releases endorphins in the brain. Endorphins help you feel focused, they reduce pain perception and improve mood. They are the natural chemical in the brain that give you the “I did it!” feeling. When we use music to teach a skill, complete a task or work through a transition these chemicals are released and help prime the brain for learning. When stress is reduced and that “I did it!” feeling floods the brain we can support and increase l

Often when working with a child to develop a skill we want to offer as many opportunities to practice that skill as possible. Whether it be working on a certain speech sound, developing a specific motor skill, sequencing words, or labeling, the more opportunities to practice the better. When we use music to target these skills we can change many elements of the music to keep the work exciting and novel. This way, the work does not feel like work as the child repeats a speech

When you're a kid, sitting can be really tough! We can help kids to remain seated with a couple fun tools. My favorite sitting tool is this sensory cushion (pictured above). In a one-to-one setting it is almost always my first question, "do you want the blue cushion or the green circle?" (the green circle is a flat place marker). Almost every answer (gestural or verbal) is for the blue sensory cushion. By beginning the session with this choice it helps to build their se

Playing small percussion instruments is a great way to target several important developmental skills. Children develop bilateral motor coordination while using a two handed instrument such as the wood blocks, claterpillar, rhythm sticks, sand blocks, and my personal favorite, the percussion frog. Playing instruments helps develop your child's attention and listening skills. Have them play fast or slow, soft or loud, up high or down low, etc. As skills develop you can inclu

Music can be a wonderful tool in aiding in transitions throughout the day, giving directions, and teaching calming strategies. This study takes a look at why music can be such an effective tool for children on the autism spectrum. The brain scans comparing areas of brain activity during spoken words compared with sung words are absolutely fascinating. Click here to read the article and view the brain scans. #autism #musictherapy #musictherapyinschools #individualmusictherapy

A review of "music and movement" therapies for children with autism: embodied interventions for multisystem development Authors Sudha M. Srinivasan and Anjana N. Bhat review the impact and effects of music therapy interventions for multisystem development. Click Here for full article #autism #musicandmovement #individualmusictherapy #Musictherapyinschools #MusicTherapy

Music and the brain... NeuroRhythm Music Therapy Services has a wonderful interactive brain map that allows you to click on an area of the brain and find out how the brain processes music in that area and how skills that require the use of that area are developed through music therapy. Click here to check out the interactive brain map! #musicandthebrain #autism #cerebralpalsy #strokerehab #individualmusictherapy

The opportunity to make choices is an important part of child development, it helps children to feel in control of parts of their lives and develops a healthy sense of autonomy. For children that are exploring and learning about their environment there are many "no's" and "don't do that". The "terrible two's" derives it's nickname from this time of wanting to assert independence and although this can be frustrating for parents and caregivers it is a healthy and important p