Music Therapy

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Music Therapy

Sowing Music offers music therapy services for children and adults with special needs and disabilities.

What is Music Therapy?
According to the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA), Music Therapy:

is an evidence based allied health profession practised throughout Australia and in more than 40 countries around the world.
is the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and well being. People of any age or ability may benefit from a music therapy program regardless of musical skill or background.
focuses on meeting therapeutic aims, which distinguishes it from musical entertainment or music education.
allows an individual’s abilities to be strengthened and new skills to be transferred to other areas of a person’s life.

Music Therapy Treatment Process:

Referral: A client will be referred for an initial music therapy assessment by a health professional, parents, caregivers, teachers or self.
Assessment: A thorough assessment will be done in the first one or two sessions using appropriate methods to determine the client's needs and strengths in the following areas: communicative, social, cognitive, psychological, and physiological functioning. The assessment will also look at the client's background, responses to music and musical preferences to help develop the best suitable music therapy program.
Treatment: Based on the information collected from the assessment, the registered music therapist will set individualised goals and objectives and design a suitable music therapy treatment plan for the client. Individual or group sessions will usually be held on a weekly basis depending on the client's needs. During each session, different music interventions will be used to help the client reach specific goals of the program.
Evaluation: The music therapist will conduct ongoing evaluations of progress and performance to ensure the effectiveness of the music therapy program, make recommendations for future consideration, and decide whether to continue or terminate when the client has attained stated goals and objectives or fails to benefit from services.

Why Music Therapy?

Music therapy is a powerful and non-threatening medium that allows changes to occur in behaviours, the body and mind of the individual.
Music stimulates all of the senses and involves the individual at many levels, therefore it can address several needs simultaneously in a positive and exciting way.

Music therapy provides a safe and non-invasive environment that encourages appropriate social interaction, communication and participation.
Music is a form of communication that does not require words, it can enable those who are non-verbal or have difficulty expressing themselves to communicate and express non-verbally.

Music provides a predictable time-oriented and reality-oriented structure while offering opportunities for participation at one’s own level of functioning and ability.
Music is a flexible tool which is highly motivating though it can also have a calming and relaxing effect.

Common Therapeutic Goals in Music Therapy:

Increase socialisation

Improve communication (receptive and expressive)
Improve speech and language skill
Increase physical and motor skill
Improve cognitive and academic skill
Promote relaxation
Provide a non-verbal outlet for self-expression
Enhance self-esteem

Music Therapy Interventions:
According to the client's needs and strength, the music therapist will creatively use suitable music interventions to target program's goals. Common music therapy interventions include:

Singing/Vocalising
Instrument playing
Music improvisation
Moving to music
Receptive music listening
Song writing, etc.

Who will benefit from Music Therapy?
At Sowing Music, we specialise in serving children and adults with special needs and disabilities. They may include those with: Autism, ADHD, intellectual impairment, language delay, physical disability, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.

Who is a qualified music therapist?
In Australia, Music Therapy can only be provided by a registered music therapist (RMT) who is:

a graduate of universities from one of the accredited music therapy degree programs approved by the Australian Music Therapy Association
registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association Inc (AMTA Inc) and bound by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of AMTA Inc
a proficient musician with a broad knowledge of specific models of intervention, music and highly developed practical music skills
a qualified therapist whose training has included the theoretical and practical applications of music therapy in addition to six months clinical training in a variety of settings.

Music Therapist at Sowing Music:
Ms Hilaria Yeung (RMT, MMusThy, BMus). Please go to "Biography" for Ms Hilaria's detailed info and experience.

Venue:
Music therapy services will be delivered at the organisation's venue or the client's home.

Fees:
FREE consultation is available.
Please contact Hilaria for pricing details.

Information Brochures prepared by AMTA:

♫ Music therapy and people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

♫ Music therapy and people with special needs

♫ Music therapy and young children

Music: J.S.Bach's "Minuet in G" arranged & played by Hilaria Yeung