Music therapy builds up a child’s self-esteem and feeds their spirit. With all the struggles special needs children face, it is incredibly important to support them with this form of therapy. In fact, music therapy can reach children with special needs in ways that other practices cannot, which is one reason why music therapists are specifically trained to create success-based activities that address developmental skills.

Here are six ways music therapy is used to help special needs kids as noted by a mother of a special-needs son:

1. Speech and communication: Singing custom-written songs to isolate speech sounds and provide a lot of repetition without monotony.
2. Fine and gross motor skills: Using traditional and adaptive percussive instruments (like maracas) to address specific fine and gross motor skills.
3. Academic: Putting academic information into a song format to improve recall.
4. Social skills development: Forming music therapy groups where children practice greetings, taking turns and making eye contact through musical activities.
5. Behavioral: Creating songs and musical stories about appropriate behavior.
6. Social-emotional: Singing songs that teach a child how to identify feelings and how to cope with “big” emotions.

Supporting Music Therapy Programs 

While we advocate music therapy programs in hospitals for sick children and teens, we cannot ignore the other amazing benefits of music therapy; it is an incredible resource for those with multiple sclerosis, children and teens with autism, special needs children and veterans.

If you would like to support music therapy, we would love for you to become an advocate! We are passionate about this cause and believe it provides a tremendous amount of relief to children who are in hospitals. Visit our website to learn more to make a difference!