What is Music Therapy?

Music Therapy is the use of music to achieve non-musical goals.  The Music Therapist uses the naturally reinforcing qualities of music to address a wide range of needs such as cognitive, physical, emotional, and social.  The skills gained through Music Therapy can then be strengthened and generalized beyond the musical environment. Services are provided by a Board Certified Music Therapist.

 

Music Therapy at BAC

Music Therapy is utilized in two ways at BAC: as an individual service requested through the ARD process or, more commonly, as a group activity attended by every student in each class.  Students participate in music exercises that are designed to support and expand on their IEP objectives as well as encourage positive social interactions.

One of the things that makes Music Therapy so special at BAC is its universal appeal to our diverse group of students. Whether rehearsing a song for our annual Christmas program, beating a rhythm on the Djembe drum, or just relaxing in a vibroacoustic chair, daily we see our students blossom before our eyes in Music Therapy.

• During drum play with a non-verbal student with autism, she expresses herself beautifully through music as well as with her eye contact and facial expressions.

• A 15-year-old boy with a conduct disorder who has been learning chords on the guitar experiences his first time on a stage while performing a folk song at the BAC talent show.

• A young boy with autism and an excellent ear for music happily hammers out the melody of "Farmer in the Dell" on the marimba while the rest of the group sings along.