Music Therapy
Music therapy is the use of music and music-based interventions, such as singing , instrument playing, or movement to music, to accomplish individualized goals such as ‘to improve gross motor skills’, and may fall under the following domains: motor/physical, communication, social/emotional, cognitive/academic, and sensory.
Our instructors are professionally trained and licensed Music Therapists. For children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Disabilities and / or Early Childhood Physical Disabilities, Musical Chairs is pleased to offer:
Group Music Therapy
Musical Chairs utilizes our Kidzrock program as our curriculum for Group Music Therapy. Instruments are modified to allow children to work on motor skills in playing piano, guitar and drums. The program utilizes musical instruments to build group communication and socialization skills. Each session will culminate in a rock concert performance for family and friends.
Class times can be set with a minimum of 4 students. Parents are welcome to collaborate with other parents to build a group and set your own day / time. We'll provide the instructor and space.
Adapted Music Lessons
Musical Chairs offers adapted individual music lessons for all ages on guitar, piano and voice. We also offer lessons In addition to acquiring the skills to play the instrument, the student will have the opportunity to work on increasing attention span, and improving the ability to follow directions. Adaptations can be made for a variety of functioning levels and may include the use of color-coded notation, simplified notation and visual aides. Some prerequisites include:
1. Prospective students should show some interest in learning music.
2. Ability to participate in a teacher led task for at least 2 minutes.
3. Ability to follow multi-step directions.
4. Ability to move fingers independently.
5. Ages 5 and older.
Scheduling is done individually upon receipt of your registration request. Tuition is based on individual assessment and agreed with parent / instructor prior to beginning.
Computerized Music Composition and "Learn to be a DJ"
For children who are interested in computers and electronics, Musical Chairs offers lessons in Music Composition where students work with computer programs to create their own music, recognize and mix sounds and create CD's to take home. We also have musical equipment that gives students the opportunity to DJ their own music and mix songs together. Prerequisites for these lessons include:
1. Fine motor skill ability to work with computers and electronic equipment.
2. Strong interest in music and computers.
3. Ability to participate in teacher led tasks for at least 15 minutes.
4. Ability to follow multi-step directions.
5 . Ages 8 and older
Individual Music Therapy
One-on-one music therapy sessions provide the opportunity for the music therapist to work one-on-one with the client towards achieving specific, functional goals. Treatment goals will be determined by the music therapist after completion of an initial evaluation session.
In a music therapy session you may:
- Sing songs: singing can be used to facilitate speech therapy goals and allow the client multiple opportunities to practice specific speech sounds. In addition songs can be used as a mnemonic device to help the client remember important information such as the days of the week, a phone number or address. Finally, social songs can be used to help to teach a client how to respond in various social situations.
- Play instruments: playing instruments like drums with a mallet can help to facilitate grasping, crossing midline, bilateral coordination, and full extension of the arms.
- Write a song: songwriting may be used to facilitate self-expression and encourage communication.
Scheduling is done individually upon receipt of your registration request. Tuition is based on individual assessment and agreed with parent / instructor prior to beginning.
