Are Music Therapists Trained to Provide Early Intervention Services?
When starting new services with Early Intervention Programs one of the critical components is to make sure that the provider is qualified and credentialed. Here’s how it works with music therapy.
In the State of Utah, Baby Watch sets forth the guidelines for credentialing and authorizing Early Intervention service providers. For many providers this process is included in their academic programs, but for professionals like Music Therapists, this is not the case.
Music Therapy training programs do require courses that teach how to use music therapy in special needs populations, and students can take specific courses on special education and other topics related to Early Intervention. Many of the required practicum sites include children, and many internships involve working with young special needs populations. As a result, Music Therapists who have focused on early childhood are well equipped to meet the needs of children in Early Intervention settings, and are trained in how to use music to help these children flourish.
However this does not fully meet the training requirements from Baby Watch.
In order to supplement the Music Therapist’s training and meet Baby Watch requirements, Music Therapists can complete a brief training course to become an authorized adjunct provider. This is usually about 6 hours long, can be done online, and nicely compliments the Music Therapist’s foundational skills.
Once the Music Therapist is authorized, he or she can be included on the IFSP and provide group or individual therapy services to children in the Early Intervention program.
We look forward to talking with your Early Intervention providers about how we can help the children you serve!
