Developmental Disorders & Disabilities

Music TherapyBecause of music’s unique ability to access and stimulate numerous areas of the brain simultaneously, it can be used to encourage cognitive and physical function, provide motivation, and/or enhance the learning environment for those with developmental disorders and disabilities.  A board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) will design the appropriate program using “client-preferred music” for your needs.

  • Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Down Syndrome
  • Cognitive Disorders/Disabilities
  • Learning Disorders/Disabilities
  • Developmental Disorders/Disabilities

The research says:

“The body of literature regarding music in intervention with children and adolescents with autism reports the following benefits:

  • increased appropriate social behaviors and decreased inappropriate, stereotypical, and self-stimulating behaviors;
  • increased attention to task;
  • increased vocalizations, verbalizations, gestures, and vocabulary comprehension;
  • increased communicative acts and engagement with others”

Whipple, J. (2004). Music in Intervention for Children and Adolescents with Autism: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Music Therapy, 41 (2), 90–106.

For more information on music therapy for autism spectrum disorder go to:

http://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/MT_Autism_2012.pdf