Benefits of Music Therapy

in Special Education
By: Chance Moorman
Music Therapy
● The use of music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and
social needs of a group or individual
○ Listening to melodies
○ Playing an instrument
○ Writing songs
○ Guided imagery
● All ages
● No musical ability required

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/common-questions/what-music-therapy
 Interventions can be designed to:
● Promote Wellness
● Manage Stress
● Alleviate Pain
● Express Feelings
● Enhance Memory
● Improve Communication
● Promote Physical Rehabilitation

https://www.musictherapy.org/about/musictherapy/
 Music is commonly used in special education to achieve
developmental and therapeutic aims
● Music has positive effects regarding both the treatment and the progress of the four main
areas of development
○ social-emotional, motor, cognitive and communication

● Music Therapy= “related service” under IDEA

● Stimulate attention and increase students’ motivation to participate more fully

The Power of Music
-Music can stimulate both hemispheres of the brain rather than just one
-Individuals with autism have difficulty communicating and building
relationships with others.
-A small group of students listening to music creates a
comfortable environment.
-Music encourages communicative behavior
-Music therapy is an easy opportunity for students to open
up to others through instrumentation.
My Experience with Music Therapy
Discussion: Do you plan to use music in
your future classroom? If so, how?

How can music be used to

encourage communicative
behavior?

Have you ever witnessed it happen

first-hand?
How is this beneficial in Special
Education?
“Music is an intrinsic part of all of us:
pulse and rhythm are found in our
heartbeat, our breathing and our
movement; melody is created in our
laughing, crying, screaming or
singing”
Resources:
https://www.musictherapy.org/about/musictherapy/

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/common-questions/w
hat-music-therapy

https://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/MT_Special_Ed_200
6.pdf

https://library.down-syndrome.org/en-us/news-update/05/2/
music-music-therapy-musical-abilities-role-music-lives-adul
ts-down-syndrome/