Music Therapy

There are many alternative therapies available to kids that help work on the fundamentals of speech, gross and fine motor skills, cognition, etc. Although, they are not always recommended, they can prove very helpful to many children. One type that is emerging in the therapy community is music therapy. Ashley Lundquist, a certified music therapist, explains what it entails and how it can help your child.

What is music therapy?

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. –American Music Therapy Association

Basically, music therapy utilizes musical activities to encourage improvements in goal areas specific to client needs.  One misconception of music therapy is that music therapists work on MUSICAL goals.  We actually do not usually do so.  The job of a music therapist is to work on NON-MUSICAL goals specific to client need.  There are times when a music therapists is working on musical goals, but these goals usually relate to client need.  For example, a client may need to work on listening and attention.  The music therapist can use rhythmic activities to improve client’s understanding of rhythm while also working on attention and listening skills.

What populations do music therapists work with?

There are many different populations and facilities in which a music therapist works.  Here are just a few :

• Special Education
•  Pre-K
• Pediatrics
• Geriatrics
• Psychiatrics
• Rehabilitation (Physical/Neurologic)
• Hospice
• NICU
• Troubled Teens/Juveniles

They can also work in these types of facilities :

• Schools
• Hospitals
• Private Clients (in home/office)
• State Hospitals
• Nursing Homes
• Prisons/Detention Centers
• Shelters
• Rehabilitation Centers

What goal areas do music therapists address for clients with developmental delays?

Many music therapists work with children, adults, and teens with intellectual and developmental delays.  With these people, there are some specific and common goals that a music therapist will commonly address :

• Physical
• Gross and Fine Motor (walking, range of motion, pincer/palmer grasp, etc.)
• Communication
• Speech (articulation, verbalizations, vocalizations, sign language, technology assisted, etc.)
• Nonverbal/Verbal
• Cognitive
• Attention, Following Directions, Memory, Academics, Sequencing, Impulse Control
• Social
• Social Interaction, Eye Contact, Participation
• Emotional
• Emotional Expression, Self Expression, Mood

What types of musical interventions does a music therapist use?

A music therapist must be efficient with many different musical processes.  They can use a variety of ways to encourage the client is engaged and showing progress :

• Song Writing
• Lyric Analysis
• Instrument Playing
• Group Ensemble
• Drum Circle
• Singing/Chanting
• Drawing to Music
• Movement to Music
• Musical Stories
• Musical Game
• Relaxation
• Dancing

What is the process of music therapy?

There is a process when a music therapist works with an individual for music therapy services.  They music first be assessed to see if they are a good candidate for music therapy.  The therapist determines this by observing and documenting client reactions and interest in music therapy activities.  Here is a break down of the music therapy process:

• Referral - client is referred to the music therapist through a doctor, parent, therapist, etc.
• Background - info- therapist gathers background information on the client
• Observation - client observes the client in a non-musical/musical setting
• Assessment - therapist writes an assessment report based on observation documentation and finding, therefore, determining if the client is eligible for music therapy services
• Treatment Plan - if client is eligible, therapist creates a treatment plan of musical activities with goals and objectives
• Treatment - therapist carries out this plan in weekly sessions
• Documentation - therapist documents and provides progress notes on client progress and improvement over time
• Evaluation - therapist evaluates client progress in a quarterly report and updates any goal areas that have been met or not met
• Recommendation - therapist recommends if therapy duration/frequency should change
• Termination - therapist or client terminates therapy due to external issues (such as moving away or financial reasons) or lack of progress over a long period of time

Music therapy is much more than just entertainment as many people perceive it.  It is a researched and scientific field that creates wonderful outlets for client expression.  Music therapy is still a new field as it began only in the 1950s.  It is continually expanding and more individuals are discovering the healing benefits.

What is Communication

If you suspect your child might have a speech problem, it is important to get help as soon as possible. Early intervention is the key to getting help for your child and help for you in understanding what exactly the problem might be.

A speech pathologist named Laura Talbert helps define speech and language and the disorders that therapists typically see in children.

What is communication?

Communication, then, is the process of conveying a message or meaning to establish a shared understanding to others. It is how we give and receive messages. It can involve speech, language, sign language, pictures, written words, gestures, facial expressions, body language, etc. It’s important to realize you don’t need speech or a shared language in order to communicate (i.e. think about the game cherades, you don’t use your voice or any language, yet you are still able to get your point across.) When working with children with speech and language delays, communication is always the first goal in order for the child to have his needs and wants met. Sometimes, speech therapist will put an alternative communication system in place for the child so that they can communicate with more ease. This could involve using a picture communication exchange system, sign language, or possibly a augmentative communication device (a computer that speaks for you)

What’s the difference between speech and language?

Speech refers to how speech sounds are made and how they sound. It is commonly referred to as “pronunciation.” In order to produce speech we look at the child’s ability to

1. Produce individual sounds or sound patterns (articulation)
2. Produce speech with appropriate fluency without stuttering 
3. Produce speech appropriate vocal quality for his/her age.

Types of Speech Disorders:

• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Dysarthria
• Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder
• Speech Sound Disorders (Articulation and Phonological Disorders)
• Voice
• Stuttering

The ASHA website has detailed descriptions of all of these. It is best though to speak with a professional, if your child has been diagnosed with one of these to fully understand the disorder.
Language, in short, is what you are able to understand when others speak/communicate with you and how you are able to express yourself. A more technical definition of language is a symbolic, rule governed system used to convey a message. The American Speech Language Hearing Association defines language as being made up of socially shared rules. Some of these “rule” systems that govern a language include  phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.

Semantics: what words mean (i.e. a “star” could be a ball of gas in the atmosphere or a celebrity)

Morphology: formulating new words (prefixes and suffixes from root word)

Syntax: combining words (sentence structure)

Pragmatics: social skills. How your child uses language for different purposes (i.e. making requests, protesting, etc.), changing their language to suit their listener (i.e. they talk differently with their friends than adults), and following social rules (i.e. can they take turns in a conversation, initiate conversations, etc.)

Speech and language disorders can be caused by a number of factors. If you have concerns about your child a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) can screen, evaluate, diagnose, and treat delays in all the above areas. A good SLP will work with both you, your child, and your family to improve communication.

Medical Leave Act

Anytime a family member, especially your child gets sick or has ongoing health issues that requires more than just a couple of days off of work it is important to know what rights you have with your employer. The following article can help answer some of those important questions you might have. It is also best to check with your employer’s HR department.

12 Facts About Medical Leave

by Amanda Fretheim Gates via Caringbridge Uplift Blog

When you or a loved one gets sick, one of the first things you worry about is your income. How can you take time off for doctors’ appointments, treatments, surgeries and recovery without losing your job? The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) was put into effect so employees could have peace of mind that their jobs and benefits would continue, even in the event of a health crisis. You should always have a conversation with your employer, but here are the basics of FMLA:

1. You can take 12 workweeks of leave in a 12-month period.
2. You can use FMLA to take care of a spouse, child or parent who has a serious health condition (or for yourself).
3. You will still receive your health benefits.
4. You should return to the same position as before you took leave.
5. All public agencies and all private companies that employ 50 or more employees must provide FMLA.
6. You must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months to be eligible, though this doesn’t have to be concurrent.
7. Your employer doesn’t have to pay you, though check with your HR department to see if you can use vacation, sick or PTO time to cover some of the missing income.
8. You may not have to take all 12 weeks concurrently. Some people ask to take a couple days a week of FMLA for an extended period of time.
9. If you take FMLA intermittently, your employer has to the right to discuss changing your job description (but not pay or benefits) to better suit all parties involved.
10. If your employer requires documentation of the illness, you have 15 days to obtain this (but you are not required to provide medical records).
11. If you can, you should provide your employer with 30 days notice that you plan to take FMLA.
12. Once you request to take FMLA leave, your employer has five days to tell you if you’re eligible.

For more information, check out the FMLA website http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/fmla-faqs.htm