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Health & Fitness

Music Mojo


If you are a parent of a child with special needs, you might want to consider music therapy as a method of treatment for your child. Studies have found that music therapy is shown to be effective for helping children with a wide variety of health issues, including children with ADD, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorders, despite not being a widely-known method of therapy. The best part of music therapy is that, because it engages the child's creative side and doesn't require the same mental focus that behavioral or cognitive therapy does, it is ideal for parents looking for a trial run before committing to a certain type of therapy, or therapist. 

If you're new to the idea of music therapy and are wondering if it's right for your child, here's a quick list of what happens during a session, and why music therapy is beneficial:

  • Music therapy is a clinical application of music interventions, aimed at addressing the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals
  • Music therapists are credentialed professionals who have completed an approved music therapy program
  • After assessing the needs of the patient, the music therapist will create a course of treatment of creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music
  • Music therapy is effective in not only physical rehabilitation (particularly effective for those who struggle with motor skills), but also provides patients with a creative avenue of self-expression that assists in their ability to identify and articulate their feelings
  • Music therapists also work closely with the patient's families to teach them how to support the patient's musical endeavors and encourage them to continue with therapy
  • The benefits of music therapy directly translate to the real world, and can even help motivate patients to pursue life-long involvement in the arts

For more information on how Dr. Clatch utilizes this very special style of therapy at Courage to Connect, please feel free to click here.

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