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October was first designated as Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the 1980s and has been recognized every October since.
Trisomy-21 or “Down Syndrome” is a congenital disorder causing intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities. It’s also the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability in North America with a rate of about 1 in every 800 to 1000 live-births. Many with Down’s have impaired cognitive development often affecting hearing, vision and/or motor abilities. Others struggle with speech development, communication and other developmental delays.
Individuals with Down’s often work with a team of doctors ranging from occupational therapists to speech therapists and physical therapists. They also work with a variety of physicians and social workers, and increasingly, more and more Music Therapists!

There are many benefits of Music Therapy for Down’s Syndrome including:

• The ability of Music Therapists to use music to motivate individuals when doing challenging or repetitive tasks.
• Using rhythmic patterns as cues assists in motor skill development.
• Music Therapists use singing and rhythm to help individuals with the pacing and articulation of their speech so it’s easier to understand.
• Music is strategically used to help with memorization tasks.

Additionally, Music Therapy can help with things like:

• Sensory awareness
• Perception
• Auditory attention
• Discrimination

Music Therapists also help individuals develop social skills such as learning to take turns, and how to effectively process and express their thoughts and emotions.

The important thing to understand about Down’s is that every individual is affected differently, and because of this, there is no single, standard treatment, including in Music Therapy. It is my goal to be really present with each individual and work with what they CAN do instead of focusing on what they can’t do. These sessions of singing, chanting, instrument play, and music and movement brings such joy to both myself and my clients.

If you know someone with Down’s Syndrome who would benefit from what I’ve described above, please give me a call at (509) 979-4357. I would love to meet them!

Increasingly parents are becoming aware of potential sensory issues in their children. They may see their children being overly sensitive or under-reacting to touch, movement, sights, or sounds; their children may seem easily distracted and show delays in speech, motor skills, or poor body awareness; or their children might have difficulty in learning new tasks or have immature social skills and exhibit difficulty in calming themselves if they get upset. These may all be signs of Sensory Integration Disorder, in which children struggle with information coming through their senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, interoception, proprioception, and spatial orientation). As an example, with music, if the radio is on, the child may become greatly upset and cry (hypersensitivity), or the child may demand the radio be kept on in order to feel calm (hyposensitivity).

 

For a child who is hypersensitive to music, a music therapist may work with this child to help them become familiar with simple musical rhythms over the course of time (creating predictability and therefore easier sensory processing), that eventually fosters a deep love of music that can help in all sorts of situations such as transitions, in which the child has to move from one activity to another. 

 

For a child who is hypersensitive to music, a music therapist may work with this child to help them become familiar with simple musical rhythms over the course of time (creating predictability and therefore easier sensory processing), that eventually fosters a deep love of music that can help in all sorts of situations such as transitions, in which the child has to move from one activity to another. 

 

Below are some additional benefits of using music therapy for Sensory Integration Disorder:

 

Children love music

We’ve all witnessed the impact that music has on children. Even those with hypersensitivity to music develop a love for it (as mentioned above). This form of therapy therefore becomes enjoyable and can facilitate relaxation and communication much more effectively.

 

Music is flexible and can address different needs

Children with Sensory Integration Disorder tend to fall on a spectrum of type (hyper or hypo) and intensity of reaction or lack of reaction to sensory stimuli depending on the particular sense. The music therapist works with the child to understand their specific needs and how to help them make steps using the flexibility of music (type, volume, etc.).

 

Music can be used in conjunction with other sensory activities

The music therapist can assist in sensory processing beyond just listening capabilities. An example of this is the use of a small trampoline for jumping and the playing of music to address proprioperception, or the child’s awareness of his/her body in space. Likewise, to assist with tactile or touch, the music therapist may bring in actual objects from songs such as leaves from a tree for the child to feel while singing the song.

Ultimately, it is the skill and perception of the trained music therapist who becomes intimately aware of the needs of the child and creates a specific plan for them that will bring a great amount of progress and joy in their lives. If you or someone you know has a child with Sensory Integration Disorder (or suspects they may have) please contact me and we can talk.

Did you know that June 27 – July 3 is
“Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week”?

What an inspiration she was and continues to be for people all around the world–especially for children with hearing and/or vision loss. We all remember hearing stories of young Helen and her educator, Anne Sullivan, who made it possible for Helen, against all odds, to communicate and go on to achieve many things in her life.

I always like to wonder, “What if Anne Sullivan had also been trained in Music Therapy?” Can you imagine the further benefits Helen Keller would have received!

Benefits of Music Therapy for Hearing-Impaired Children, Including Those with Cochlear Implants

• Therapists work with children on their language, communication and cognitive skills, and as a result, their social skills are enhanced.

• Because music has a higher variety of frequencies, it is more accessible on the continuum of hearing ability, over just the use of speech in therapy.

• Music, being highly flexible, can be adjusted to the needs of the child’s hearing and language level, as well as the child’s age and musical preference.

• It “Enhance[s] auditory, training and expand[s] the use of residual hearing.” (Music Therapy Association of British Columbia)

• “Promote[s] socialization, self-awareness, emotional satisfaction and enhance[s] self-esteem.” (Music Therapy Association of British Columbia)

• Therapy sessions are highly motivating and brings great joy to the child who might have to attend many doctors appointments.

Some Benefits for Visually Impaired Children

• The most critical skills Music Therapy can develop are social skills, communication skills, and emotional regulation.

• Learning how to negotiate your environment can be done by singing and the use of counting, beat and rhythm.

• “The music therapist uses musical and non-musical approaches and interventions as a way to develop an individual’s ability to effectively communicate with their environment, interact comfortably in social situations, build self-awareness, self-motivation, and ultimately, perform in academic and post-academic settings.” (FamilyConnect.org)

• Therapists work with the parents and children to create goals and strategies that are specific and individualized, ensuring the child makes progress in multiple areas of development.

• Therapy sessions are fun and provide learning and growing opportunities that the children look forward to!

If you know any child who may benefit from Music Therapy, please let me know and I’d love to talk with you more. 

References:
Music Therapy Association of British Columbia
FamilyConnect.org

We’re not surprised when major publications like The New York Times showcases the transformative power of music therapy.

This article touches on its effects on patients in hospitals during the pandemic:

“‘The hospital said that I couldn’t go into the room with my harp, but I insisted,’ she said. As she played the harp for him, his vital signs, which had been dangerously low, returned to normal. ‘The hospital staff swung the door open and said, ‘You need to play for everyone.’”

Keep reading here.

 

Also in the News!

“President Joe Biden reached out to, and fist-bumped, former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords at the White House Rose Garden Thursday — A moment to mark a new push to curb gun violence. Giffords was shot in the head in 2011, and has become a fierce gun reform advocate. For our arts and culture series, CANVAS, Jeffrey Brown shows how her grit brings joy, as music and science open new doors.”

Did you know that music therapy began as a formal profession in the United States post World War II?  In order to improve motivation for patients towards healing and rehabilitation, musicians and music educators introduced music into hospital settings.  That is why we now have accredited, licensed music therapists and various music therapy intervention programs that are being offered across the country.

 

One can say that there is nothing more uplifting or galvanizing than the energy and power of music.  Have you or your child experienced times when you are physically or emotionally hurting and/or experiencing some sort of heightened situation?  Then, suddenly a piece of music plays or a favorite song comes on and you are suddenly transported to another place that cannot be explained or even put into words?  You are carried away and lost in another dimension where all your worries and pains are forgotten for that time.  Possibly, the music is reconnecting you with your essence self and allowing for something unexplainable that goes beyond medical intervention.

 

Research has shown that music therapy is a vital instrument in the healing process during hospitalization as well as when your child/youth leaves the hospital setting.  There are credentialed music therapists who provide music therapy treatment plans one to one or within pediatric music therapy groups to further assist the recovery process once your loved one leaves the hospital.

 

Benefits of Music Therapy Treatment Post Hospitalization

For children music can be a fun way to learn, relax, and work through tough emotional or physical situations.  It can help with communication, social skills and with countless other abilities.  In fact, it’s also been shown to reduce stress which aids with the health of their immune system.

With all post hospitalization cases, here at the Center for Musical Therapy, we utilize and customize musical interactions to address the individualized needs of the patient.  Once an assessment of the patient is completed, each session is individualized and designed to specifically fit the needs of your child/teen.  Exercises are selected to teach techniques to support with:

 

• Self-calming

• Expression of emotion

• Moving through trauma.

• Provides an opportunity for self-discovery

• Abilities are strengthened which in turn affects the other areas of his/her life

 

Additional Areas that Music Therapy Can Help With

 

Studies have shown that music therapy is highly effective for kids and teens because it is non-threatening.  Also, it has been shown that both playing and listening to music involves the entire brain, including areas that control movement, speech, reward, emotional processing and memory.  Overall, improvements are seen with:

 

• Overall physical rehabilitation.

• Fine and gross motor development.

• Improved speech and language skills.

• Increasing motivation to continue to be engaged in their post care medical treatment.

• Providing emotional assistance for clients and their families.

• Providing an outlet for the expression of feelings.

 

Here at the Center for Music Therapy we work with your child/teen in a tailored therapeutic plan to empower them to manage:

 

• Chronic and acute pain.

• Anxiety and depression.

• Chronic illness and terminal diseases.

• Emotional crisis.

• Developmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, and releasing psychological trauma (which a child usually keeps bottled up inside).

• Neurological disorders.

• Sensory impairments, stress, and much more.

 

According to Susan Shurin, M.D., Chief of Pediatric-Hematology, Oncology at the Ireland Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio, comments on the effectiveness of music therapy:

 

“Music therapy enables people to sometimes put words together in ways that are hard for them to do otherwise.  …[I]t often seems to be easier if [the patient] has the rhythm and cadence that comes along with music.  Particularly with people with certain kinds of neurological deficits I think that [music therapy] can be very helpful.  The music seems to get through to the patient and in many ways it enables [the patient] to get through to us which [may be] very hard to do with any other modality.”

 

Here is what you can expect on the first meeting with a music therapist:  assessment will be given to measure the patient’s abilities, then goals are set up, and from there an action plan is created for future appointments.  Typically, a session can take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes which could include the therapist providing music or the therapist and patient making music together.  Since the plan is customized to the individual’s needs, a meeting can be as simple as chanting and singing to involving something more complex like recording a song.  Another option would be to incorporate musical activities such as creating, singing, moving to and listening to music.

 

Sessions are conducted either in-person, in pediatric music therapy groups or can be arranged through Telehealth appointments.  Parents and/or guardians are welcome to join and encouraged to do so.

 

As a board certified music therapist with an extensive number of years practicing, know that I am here to support your journey to shifting from pain and surviving to healing and thriving again.  It is an honor for me to provide comfort and care to my patients through music.  I am here to accompany your child through both the pain and joy.  As a parent, know that I am here to walk with you through both the challenges and the laughter.

Happy 2020! 

A new year often brings resolutions for a better quality of life. One of your New Year’s resolutions might be to enhance yours and/or your family’s overall sense of wellness. At this time of year, many will start new diets or join fitness clubs to get in better shape, but have you thought about what role Music Therapy might play in addressing the wellness of your body, mind, emotion, and spirit? Wouldn’t you be interested in reducing your chance of illness by learning to manage stress? Wouldn’t you like to experience more energy, more personal development, more daily enjoyment, more satisfying relationships, and more feelings of belonging?

According to the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) Music Therapy in wellness is defined as “the specialized use of music to enhance quality of life, maximize well being and potential, and increase self-awareness.” (2005)

There are two types of music activities that are used in Music Therapy for wellness:

 

• Passive Music

• Active Music

 

Passive music includes listening to music specifically programmed to evoke a particular mood, such as using relaxing music to obtain more restful sleep, or turning on music while doing house cleaning to energize your body. Listening to specific styles of music can have specific effects on your physiology. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that by listening to relaxing music, you are increasing your overall immune response? Passive music also refers to meditation to music, and other “sound and vibration therapies” such as vibroacoustic therapy and the use of crystal singing bowls, which uses different tones and vibrations being felt in the different parts of the body to help rebalance cells.

 

On the other end of the spectrum of Music Therapy for wellness is Active Music Making. This type of Music Therapy can powerfully influence your thoughts and feelings, leading to an expansion of your mental abilities and providing physical and all-encompassing relief from the stresses of daily life. An example of active music making is drumming. Have you ever joined a drumming circle before? Or joined a singing group? For those who have, it clearly becomes a stimulus for long-term wellness, contributing to both positive self-esteem and good self-care. It can also help you to create bonds of friendship which further contribute to wellness.

 

Let me know how I can further help you achieve your goals for wellness in yours or your family’s lives. Hope to see everyone at the Open House! 

The month of October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, and we are recognizing how this unknown neurological disorder affects approximately one in 10,000-15,000 female births. Did your child recently receive a Rett Syndrome diagnosis? What exactly is Rett Syndrome? According to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, Rett Syndrome is a unique neurodevelopmental disorder which begins to show in infancy or early childhood. It is seen almost exclusively in females, although it can occur rarely in boys.

As a parent or caregiver of a child suffering from Rett syndrome, you might be witnessing severe impairments which is affecting nearly every aspect of your precious child’s life: from their ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe easily. Maybe you have noticed constant repetitive hand movements. Rett syndrome is usually recognized in children between ages 6 to 18 months as they begin to miss developmental milestones or lose abilities they had gained. Development appears normal until 6-18 months of age and then a loss of communication and motor abilities begins.

Symptoms Include:

• Loss of speech
• Loss of purposeful use of hands
• Involuntary hand movements such as handwashing
• Loss of mobility or gait disturbances
• Loss of muscle tone
• Seizures or Rett “episodes”
• Scoliosis
• Breathing issues
• Sleep disturbances
• Slowed rate of growth for head, feet and hands

Living with Rett Syndrome may pose numerous challenges, however, despite the feeling of overwhelm with a diagnosis of Rett Syndrome, you may be interested to know that music therapy might a healing way to connect you with your family member. As a licensed music therapist, I have been working with children affected by severe disabilities and special needs as well as supporting their caregivers by introducing and integrating music therapy into their treatment plan.

I am here to help you transform your loved one’s journey from surviving to thriving and you do not have to travel down this road alone.

 

How can music therapy address the need areas for an individual with Rett Syndrome?

From a research study perspective, here is promising news about music therapy as a tool: Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital studied 23 families of Rett patients who were receiving regular follow-up care with music therapy, and stated the following findings:

• Nonverbal communication improved
• Social interaction increased
• Abnormal respiratory patterns lessened
• Hand-gripping ability improved
• Eye gazing improved and notable seizure reduction
• Reduction in parental stress

In addition, research findings showed that music for Rett Syndrome patients can:

• Increase responsiveness
• Increase choice making abilities
• Effectively stimulate, activate and engage
• Increase self-regulation in girls
• Improve parent-child interaction
• Improve social skills
• Improve motivation and interest

Music therapy sessions can include a variety of activities such as playing eye-catching instruments such as an ocean drum in various positions to assist with visual tracking to the use of pictures of favorite songs/instruments or even singing to your child during choice making activities. Some other creative possibilities are to add a music instrument sound effects to stories to gain attention and focus. These are just a few examples. Now, you have the choice as a parent or caregiver to give your loved one a chance to overcome, transform and heal!

As a board certified music therapist and nurse and with years of extensive experience, I have created success-based activities that address your child’s developmental skills. I am honored to be a part of the Music Therapy profession where we are always striving to make sessions fun, musical and healing.

Reach out and take the first step towards healing and being supported! Consider starting out with a private session, I currently have some openings for children with Rett Syndrome. Please feel free to connect with me, if you or someone you know has a child affected by Rett’s Syndrome that needs this kind of therapy.

You might be wondering what are the benefits of of applying Music Therapy in our schools?  How would it benefit my child who is struggling with a disability or special need? Music Therapy has proven to be an effective tool in special education for students with various types of disabilities and special needs.  This type of therapy can be used in different ways, depending on each individual child.

 

Music intervention programs in schools focuses on using music as a way to address the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social needs of a child.  If you are a parent reading this and/or know of a child/student suffering from autism, celebral palsy, asthma, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and those who lack self-confidence, music has been proven to be helpful.  Music therapy can provide your child with the ability to learn in ways they never have before. For this reason and many others, this type of therapy is extremely effective.  

 

Music therapy sessions in schools can vary in structure from individual sessions, small group sessions, and services provided in an inclusive classroom.  Music therapy services are provided by Board-Certified Music Therapists (MT-BC) like myself. The goal of Music Therapists is to help the student make progress on educational goals as well as support the parents or caregiver in this process.  

 

The US Department of Education recognizes Music therapy as a related service under The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – that means that if your child requires it, music therapy must be put into the The Individualized Education Program (IEP), with costs covered by the school. The IEP process involves planning and decision making by the IEP team which includes parents/caregivers, students, and therapists.  As a parent you have the right to request an assessment from the school with the support of a Music Therapist.

 

According to Mary Adamek, Ph.D., Director of the Undergraduate Music Therapy Program at The University of Iowa and the American Music Therapy Association,   Music Therapy interventions designed by credentialed professionals can provide the following benefits: 

• Promote Wellness
• Manage Stress
• Alleviate Pain
• Express Feelings
• Enhance Memory
• Improve Communication
• Promote Physical Rehabilitation
  

Studies have shown that Music therapists who work with children with special needs support developmental goals such as:

• Speech – Sing songs, to help develop speech sounds and get lots of repetition and avoiding boredom.

• Fine and gross motor – Instruments like maracas among many are utilized to improve these skills.

• Academic –  Improve recall by placing academic information into a song format.

• Social skill development – Engage children in Music therapy groups where they practice greetings, turn taking, eye contact, requesting, etc., through various musical activities.

• Behavioral  – Create songs as well as musical stories about appropriate behavior.

• Social-Emotional – Teach a child how to sing songs so they learn how to identify feelings and cope with “big” emotions.

 

As an overwhelmed parent or caregiver, know you don’t have to travel this path alone.  There is support waiting for you! Music therapy builds up a child’s self-esteem and feeds their soul.  Children with special needs and disabilities face so many struggles, so it is important to support them in a nurturing way. 

As a board certified music therapist and nurse and with years of extensive, I have created success-based activities that address your child’s developmental skills.  I am honored to be a part of the Music Therapy profession where we are always striving to make sessions so fun and musical, that clients don’t even realize how hard they are working.  Music Therapy treatment plans can be applied in a school setting, private sessions or in a combination of both. Now that’s a recipe for success!

If you are still reading this and are considering starting out with a private session, I currently have some openings for children and students with Disabilities and Special Needs.  Please feel free to connect with me, if you or someone you know needs this kind of therapy and support with the assessment process at your child’s/student’s school in achieving their educational goals.

 

A devastating diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) can seem like an overwhelming blow to living a full life.  Many individuals with PD suffer from progressive symptoms such tremors, stiffness or rigidity of the muscles, slowness of movement, and decreased vocal range.  

Have you or a loved one been given this debilitating news?  Or have you been living with Parkinson’s Disease for years and see no way out? Are you experiencing difficulty with moving around your house, independently tackling daily activities like eating and dressing, and being engaged in activities that bring joy to your life? 

Despite the challenges of PD, there is hope to living a fuller life.  One powerful way is through the results I have achieved over the years working with Parkinson’s Disease patients by integrating music and therapy.  Music Therapy can help you manage and overcome your symptoms! Next, I will discuss the healing benefits of Music Therapy and how it can support you.

Music Therapy:  Physical & Mental Benefits

Studies have shown that applying therapies that involve both moving to music and singing can work to improve PD-related challenges.  Here are a few areas:

• Balance: Stride length, posture and side-to-side movement can improve with music therapy.
• Communication: Singing can increase volume and articulation.
• Cognition: Singing lyrics can improve memory issues.
• Emotions: Music has been shown to uplift and improve expression.

According to Elizabeth Stegemöller, an assistant professor of kinesiology at Iowa State University, found that when she lead classes of people with Parkinson’s Disease by applying Music Therapy consisting of vocal exercises and singing, the following results were achieved:

• Increased muscle activity and control
• Improved breathing and swallowing
• Improved posture

Additional benefits of incorporating Music Therapy in your daily routine and rehabilitation protocol includes:

• Strengthens your immune system
• Improves language development and learning
• Increases brain connectivity
• Increases spatial awareness
• Decreases anxiety, anger, stress, and frustration 
• Improves concentration and motivation

Music Therapy has also proven to have a positive impact not just on class participants but also on caregivers, families, and friends in coping with Parkinson’s Disease.  

Are you ready to embark upon a healing journey of singing your way through Parkinson’s Disease? Hope is here!  Give Music Therapy a shot! 

I am a board certified music therapist and have been specializing in helping people with Parkinson’s Disease for an extensive number of years.  I am here to elevate my patients to new heights in their recovery process through the wonderful medium of Music Therapy.  

I currently have some openings for seeing patients with Parkinson’s Disease and providing the support you need in order to live a fuller life. Please feel free to connect with me if you or someone you know needs this kind of therapy.