Music therapy is the planned use of music to bring about desirable changes, facilitating growth socially, emotionally, physically and/or intellectually for children and adults with special needs.

Adapted from the Australian Music Therapy Association.

Background Of Music Therapy

Music has long been recognised for its therapeutic power and is an integral part of many cultures' functioning. In America, music therapy became more recognised as a profession in the 1950s, when war veterans' recovery rates increased following listening to music, and positive results of these treatments were scientifically documented, more than had been done previously. An association was formed, now known as the American Music Therapy Association. Music therapy became recognised as a discipline in many other countries around the world, and music therapy societies formed. The New Zealand Society for Music Therapy was formed in 1975.

Music therapy is not teaching the child to play an instrument in a certain way, teaching musical notation, or dancing and singing 'happy' songs. While these may happen during a music therapy session, they are in essence an outcome of a process, rather than the product of an activity.

Music Therapy with Young People who have Multiple Disabilities

Many young people with multiple disabilities and severe delays need extra time to process what is going on. Sometimes they need physical assistance to actively participate. They need a means of expression, and to feel part of a group.

The music therapist uses pentatonic scale, modal scales, tonal and atonal music improvisation, and musical activities such as movement to music, playing instruments, and singing.

Music Therapy can be an integral and successful part of any client's educational or therapy program. It is a creative flexible discipline, which allows for all regardless of ability to participate in a meaningful way. Music is the motivator or stimulant in therapy which assists the child with speech delays to speak, or the adult who has Parkinson's to move more fluidly. Essentially, it is the music itself providing the therapy, when used by a trained music therapist. The specific and planned use of MUSIC is what differentiates music therapy from other therapies.