Child Song
Re: Music Therapy and Down Syndrome v2
Date: 19 May 2003 07:29:12 GMTNewsgroups: bit.listserv.down-syn
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benthirney@NO^SPAMhotmail.com writes: << I'm particularly interested in the effects music therapy has on people of any age with Down Syndrome>> This evening at my son's girlfriend's birthday party, he announced that he would play and sing a song he wrote for her, then brought out her guitar and gave quite a performance. Music has played an important part in his education, communication, development and social opportunities. It seems to be serving him well in his adult life, too. Pam W SE of Seattle Mom of E, 19 (and Z, 21) Here are some web sites that might be helpful in your investigation: ========= The National Down Syndrome Society email-address-deleted http://www.ndss.org USA telephone 1-800-221-4602 212-460-9330 ====== National DS Congress: email-address-deleted www.ndsccenter.org USA telephone 1-800-232-6372 404-633-1555 ====== NADS (USA) http://www.nads.org ====== http://www.altonweb.com/cs/downsyndrome/index4.html?page=musicis.html Music therapy is the prescribed, structured use of music and music strategies by a trained music therapist to influence changes in the learning or behavior patterns of a child. It is one of the related services listed in both the federal and state laws pertaining to the education of individuals with disabilities. Parents often choose to seek out a music therapist because they notice that their child is particularly responsive to or motivated by music. Parents wonder if music would be a tool to help the child learn needed skills. Indeed, music can be an effective learning tool for many children with disabilities. =============== http://www.specialchild.com/archives/ia-005.html * Rhythms of sound have a powerful impact on cognition. Songs and rhymes are things that most adults remember from childhood. * Music is processed by a different area of the brain than speech and language, therefore, a child may be able to more easily absorb information and skills presented with music. * Memorizing songs and rhymes is helpful in developing literacy skills. * The rhythm and repetition in songs can help the student internalize the sounds and patterns of language. * Connecting song, language, and movement dramatically increases learning. * Music is a valued tool for stimulating the right side of the brain and encourages bilateral activity between the brain hemispheres. * Music enhances attending skills and reduces distraction. * Music is motivating and fun, which is useful when working with a child who demonstrates low motivation to learn. * Can the student be motivated to attempt and complete tasks by the use of music? * Could the student benefit from the use of additional communication modalities? * Does the student initiate interaction with music or musical instruments in the classroom or home? * Does the student retain information conveyed in songs more easily than information conveyed in spoken interchanges? =========== http://www.downsyndromedallas.com/info/nd_able_music.htm Music does wonderful things in some way for everyone. Somehow, it goes deeply into our psyche and stirs things that have long been dormant in us and – in some cases – we have never developed. It can also assist the present moment to rise to a higher level of experience. Examples are the common use of classical music in an art class and the emotion enhanced by beautifully-sung gospel music or a patriotic song. Experts in learning have discovered that music, structured certain ways, can also change learning patterns in children. ============ Music Therapy Abstracts http://info.chsd.org/761.cfm ============ California State University, Northridge FAQ http://www.csun.edu/~hcmus006/MusicTherapy.html ======== The mother of a 6 1/2-year-old with Down Syndrome states: "Music therapy has helped my son to learn turn-taking, sharing, listening skills and some colors, animals, parts of the body and clothes." (Child participated in group music therapy for 2 years in preschool and then in individual music therapy for 1year in kindergarten.) http://www.musictherapy.org/factsheets/youngchild.html ========== Music therapy can boost skills and confidence http://www.cdss.ca/newsletter/alternative%20therapies/1998vol111.html Some of the benefits of music therapy for children with Down syndrome will be highlighted here. 1. Music provides sensory stimulation because it involves hearing, seeing, feeling, touching and moving. Children need to experience music holistically. This approach facilitates sensory integration and more complete learning. 2. Music increases social interaction. As a child develops a relationship with the therapist, certain social skills are increased. The child is encouraged to make eye con- tact, sing the "hello" and "goodbye" song independently, respond to questions, follow directions and handle instruments appropriately. These skills help children in other social settings. 3. Music fosters self-expression. Children with special needs often need a vehicle through which they can express their thoughts and feelings that they cannot, or will not, verbalize. Playing or improvising on an instrument can be used to communicate nonverbally. When children want or need to express themselves verbally, singing and song-writing activities give them avenues for self-expression. 4. Music can improve attending behavior. When children enjoy a musical experience, they focus longer and team more. As their attention spans increase, they are less distracted and more able to control impulses. The longer children pay attention, the more responsible they be- come for their own behavior and learning. Attending, controlling impulses and completing tasks are all important behaviors in music and in the classroom. 5. Music improves speech and language skills. The expressive and receptive language of a child can be facilitated through music. When children listen and follow directions in an action song, they are improving their receptive language. When children are singing or writing a song, they are improving their expressive language and vocabulary. Often children will sing words they will not say. They may feet less intimidated in singing than in speaking. 6. Music can teach a variety of concepts and increase vocabulary. Colors, numbers, seasons, animals and directionality represent just some of the information that can be learned, reviewed and reinforced through music. Children remember these concepts better and for a longer period of time through the use of music. 7. Music can help a child with gross and fine motor skills. Through action songs, many children learn to coordinate movements involving arms, legs, and large muscles (e.g. marching, swinging, jumping, running). By contrast, learning to play the piano, autoharp or guitar requires fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. 8. Finally, music allows individuals to express and develop their own innate musicality and creativity. Many children with special needs have unusual musical abilities. Some have wonderful auditory memories. They can remember the words to any song, no matter how long ago it was taught. Others have wonderful rhythmic skills, repeating even advanced rhythm patterns. ============ http://www.nidd.org/therapy_music.htm music therapy for persons with developmental delays ========== Disability Solutions http://www.disabilitysolutions.org =========== Woodbine House Publishing Down Syndrome series http://www.woodbinehouse.com/ ============ Stanley Jordan's Music Therapy Links http://www.stanleyjordan.com/Links/MusicTherapy.html ========== http://www.musicworxofcalifornia.com/therapy/populations.html Following are human functions that music therapy is known to improve: Acceptance and coping Attending skills Auditory abilities Communication Conflict resolution Control reclamation Creative personal expression Decision-making Diversion and meaningful use of time Emotional release Hand and eye coordination Kinesthetic and tactile abilities Language development Maintenance and strengthening of family bonds Memory recall Mood and feelings Motivation to change Muscle control and coordination Nausea management Pain management Problem solving Relaxation Sedation Self-awareness Self-esteem Sensory systems Sleep inducement Social skills Spiritual exploration Stress reduction Validation of personal life experiences Visual abilities ========== http://www.wlu.ca/~wwwmtc/mt10.htm -Parent of a child with Rett Syndrome "My child's life has been greatly enriched by the music therapy sessions. Her communication skills have improved and her love of music is evidenced by her joyful anticipation of the sessions on Saturday morning." -Parent of child with Down Syndrome and leukemia =========== http://www.familynet.on.ca/News/Dec_02/dec04.htm Besides helping to expand vocabulary in a fun way, as in Janelle's case, it can assist in developing children's, articulation, rhythm and control of speech. "It's also important for kids learning to listen and attend," she says. "People are sometimes really attentive to music, where they may not be so much so to speech." Music therapy also has value with children who communicate with augmentative communication devices ============== http://www.musictherapytrust.com/musictherapycentre.php "Music can heal. It can do more than that. It can throw a lifeline to kids who can't be reached any other way." - Paul McCartney "Music has been used for entertainment for so long, people forget it"s a powerful medicine." - Mick Hart former drummer of The Grateful Dead
