If Speech Therapists Help With Speech, Music Therapists Help With…Music?
Have you ever heard the term “music therapy” and wondered what it meant? Well, you’re not alone.
The concept of music therapy can be tricky to grasp when you compare it to other mainstream therapies. Speech therapists help with all things speech. Physical therapists help with all things physical. Occupational therapy helps with all things occupational, or basically the skills needed for activities of daily living.
So following the logic above, then it must follow that Music Therapists must help with…music. Right?
Kind of.
Well, not really.
Actually, not at all.
Music Therapists use music to address a whole range of needs. Some of these may include:
- Social skills
- Speech and Language
- Communication
- Emotional regulation
- Attention, and
- Memory
The Formula
So for us math types or visual learners, let’s put this into a formula. Consider the following values:
A=Speech/Communication
B=Physical/Motor
C=Occupational Skills/Activities of Daily Living
D=Memory
E=Social Skills
F=Emotional Regulation
G=Attention
H=Musical Skills
So assuming “A” refers to a Speech Therapist, then a reasonable formula might be “A”=A. Or in other words, Speech Therapists work on speech (as well as other possible areas such as social and emotional skills).
Assuming “B” refers to a Physical Therapist, then an appropriate formula might be “B”=B, where the Physical Therapist addresses all things physical.
And assuming “C” means an Occupational Therapist, then perhaps “C”=C, where the Occupational Therapist works on activities of daily living (and also effectively target other areas such as physical, social, and sensory areas.)
In the same pattern, if “H” refers to a Music Therapist, then “H”=A+B+C+D+E+F+G+H.
Music touches everything
See, the confusing but super awesome thing about music therapy is that we can address the whole spectrum of needs. Goals in music therapy typically focus on a few areas at a time, but by nature of our approach (using music!), we are simultaneously treating the whole person. It’s a beautiful thing.
And super effective.
So while the term “music therapy” may not be self-explanatory, what we lack in self-explanation we make up for in effectiveness. Music Therapists address a wide range of needs because music accesses and impacts a wide range of needs. And the Music Therapist is trained to bring about powerful change.
And the change comes through music.
By the way, we offer a FREE 30 minute consultation!
During the consultation you meet 1:1 with one of our therapists to ask anything you’d like, get information on what we offer, and even see music therapy in action with your child.
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