Music Therapy

Music
Music is a very powerful tool. Even for someone who is
not experiencing behavioral problems, listening to
music can evoke a wide range of emotions. Simple
rhythms can relax you. Upbeat fast tunes can make you
happy and your heart race. Lower notes can inspire fear
or danger. In a few simple notes played on various
instruments you can unlock what is going on inside of
another person.

The following are general headlines under which musical interventions may be structured for the
individual with a behavioral disorder:

Music as a Competing Behavior

Using Music as a Contingency
Music Learning to Modify Inappropriate Behavior
Using Music to Modulate Mood
Using Music to Modulate Physical and Cognitive Activity
Using Lyric Analysis in Counseling Students with
Behavior Disorders

Advantages of Music Therapy

Music is inherently nonthreatening and an inviting medium
Music offers the reluctant student a safe environment in which to
explore emotions (Duerksen & Darrow, 1991)
Music is extremely adaptable in ways such as style, age
appropriateness, and sophistication, and, as a result, is capable
of targeting problem behaviors across a wide range of students.
Nearly all students respond to music. Their response to music
assists in establishing a strong foundation for engaging in
therapeutic work. Students' natural interest in music is enhanced
by the fact that they are occupied in activities more with play or
fun than work or therapy (Hussey & Layman, 2003).

Impact of Music Therapy

With music therapy, a child is not simply listening to
music but also participating in creating it.
Music seems to work because it is open to interpretation
by anyone and everyone. It is a medium that becomes
what the person wants it to be. For children, it doesnt
intimidate them. It can help children feel safe enough to
talk about their trauma and begin to heal. Therapists
can discover underlying problems causing behavioral
issues not related to developmental deficiencies.