MT in Schools #3: How Music Therapy is Beneficial from the Perspective of an Administrator

MT in Schools #3:  How Music Therapy is Beneficial from the Perspective of an Administrator Time to wrap up our Music Therapy in Schools series! After presenting what music therapy looks like in schools; as well as how to acquire music therapy for your child through their IEP, we will now approach this topic from the perspective of an administrator. Why should you care about having music therapy in your school? In what ways does it benefit the district, the teachers, the students, and the classrooms? How Music Therapy Benefits the District and ClassroomsMusic therapy may at first glance seem like “dollar signs” as an “extra” resource, but this service provides varied opportunities for growth and success for your students and can be a great support for special education classroom teachers. Music can serve as a bridge enabling children who may not otherwise successfully progress in school — creating new connections, providing successful interactions, and offering meaningful opportunities for growth. (Roman Music Therapy Services) In addition, music is processed by a different area of the brain than speech and language; so a student may be able to more easily interpret and absorb information and skills presented with music. (AMTA)

• Engagement in music therapy stimulates attention and increases motivation to participate more fully in other aspects of the educational setting. 
• Music therapists create strategies and pre-teach skills to encourage and support a student’s effective and independent engagement both individually and in groups to build students' capacity to participate successfully in the least restrictive environment. 
• Music therapists support special and general education classroom teachers by providing effective ways to incorporate music into the academic curriculum.

 Let’s keep in mind that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)*,  all children who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) are entitled to a music therapy assessment when requested. This is because, by federal law, students with disabilities are granted a free and appropriate education, which includes related services such as music therapy (Earth Tones). *For more detailed information about the IDEA Act and updates,  you can visit https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ or read this blog about a child’s legal right to acquiring music therapy on their IEP! This is where advocacy comes in! While most school districts in the north Texas area (specifically Dallas/Fort Worth- check out our social media for more information about that!) already support the use of music therapy in their schools, there are some that still do not. This could be because until now, it hasn’t been requested or voiced as a need, or it could be because the administrators might not know about it as a related service.Possible School Services: 

• Individual Music Therapy as a Related Service
• Integrated Preschool Programs
• ABA Based Programs
• Alternative School Programs
• Students with Moderate to Intensive Special Needs
• Transition Services for Students 18-22
• Behavioral and Emotional Support Classes
• School Teacher Consultations

(Roman MT Services)Common Interventions:

• Instrument play to meet fine/gross motor needs, social emotional goals 
• Singing to encourage vocalization and support communication goals 
• Songwriting/composition to facilitate self-expression 
• Musical improvisation to facilitate self-expression, creativity, active listening to music to decrease agitation and increase calmness
• Computer-based music activities to practice skills, generalization 
• Music as a mnemonic device to learn academics 
• Lyric analysis to increase literacy, social emotional goals
• Guided movement to music to increase range of motion, imitation skills, self-regulation (AMTA)

 Other Ways Music Therapy is Represented in SchoolsMusic Therapists can present to staff, administrators, and counselors to educate and inform about music therapy! Music therapists can also meet directly with Special Education Directors or set up complimentary sessions in some cases. What We’re Hearing from Our ClientsWhile in-depth studies can say a lot about the benefits of music therapy in schools, here are just a few of the many things that our clients, here at A Suite Sound, are telling us….

• Noticeable improvement in behavior after music therapy sessions when compared to other weekdays. –Life Skills Teacher
• Observed increase in positive performance across consecutive sessions. –Private Duty Nurse
• Calmer demeanor– no screaming or tantrums while at school. –Parent

What goals of yours do you see music therapists helping students achieve in your school?  References:Roman Music Therapy Services. (2024). Music Therapy for School Districts. Roman MT.https://romanmusictherapy.com/music-therapy-services/school-age/music-therapy-for-school-districts/American Music Therapy Association (2021). Music Therapy in Special Education. AMTA. https://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/FactSheet_Music_Therapy_in_Special_Education_2021.pdfEarth Tones Northwest. (2020, November 4). How to Get Music Therapy on an IEP: A Child’s Legal Right (Part 1). Earth Tones. https://www.earthtonesnw.com/music-therapy-art-therapy-horticultural-therapy/how-to-get-music-therapy-on-an-iep-a-childs-legal-right-part-1