Music Therapy with the Learning Disabled

Definition:

A disorder effecting one or more psychological processes involved in understanding or using language. Such disorders may affect an individual's ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations. The term learning disabled does not include individuals who have learning problems which are a result of visual, aural, or motor handicaps, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, or environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage. (Public Law 94-142).

Types:

Developmental learning disabilities:

Attention deficits
Memory deficits
Perceptual motor deficits
Thinking disorders
Language disorders

Academic learning disabilities:

Reading
Math
Spelling
Writing

Causes:

Central Nervous System dysfunction
Genetics
Biochemical factors

Behavioral Symptoms:

May include distractibility, speech difficulties, poor gross/fine motor skills, poor body awareness, difficulty with abstract symbols, poor attitude, memory difficulties, sequencing problems, figure-ground difficulties, difficulty processing auditory and visual information.

Music Therapy Goals

Behavior management.
To increase expression of feelings.
To improve self-esteem.
Improvement of academic tasks.
To improve emotional growth.
To facilitate communication.

Functions of Music

To provide order and structure.
As a carrier of information.
As a stimulus to increase auditory awareness.
As a positive reinforcer.
To provide a non-threatening environment.

Special Issues

Need for individualized instruction.
Importance of repetition.
Use of repeated sequences of activities.
May be difficult for student to sing and play instruments simultaneously.
Keep songs simple.
Face to face interaction is important.
Music notation may be difficult for some students.

Music Therapy Activity Example

Activity Type: Action Song.
Equipment Needed: Stereo or accompaniment instrument, Looby Loo.
Procedure: The therapist sings the refrain.
Clients sing refrain with the therapist.
Therapist tells clients to listen for name of each body part mentioned in the song.
The therapist sings each verse, clients and therapist sing refrain.
Clients name body parts.
Clients are taught actions to the song and perform them without music.
therapist demonstrates the movements while singing.
Clients sing the refrain and perform actions on each verse.
Therapist and clients sing entire song and perform actions.

Bibliography

Adler, R.F.  (1982).  Target on Music.  Bethesda, MD: Christ Church
     Child Center.

Berdine, W.H. & Blackhurst, A.E. ( Eds.) (1985).  An Introduction to
     Special Education (2nd ed.).  Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 

Birkenshaw, L. (1982).  Music for Fun, Music for Learning. (3rd. ed)
     Saint Louis: Magnamusic-Baton.

Graham, R.M. & Beer, A.S. (1980).  Teaching Music to the Exceptional
     Child.  Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Nocera, S.D. (1979).  Reaching the special learner through music.
     Morristown, NJ: Silver-Burdett.

KathySL@aol.com

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Katherine A. Lindberg, RMT-BC
Created September 28, 1997
Last update September 28, 1997