Ebook: Music therapy and leisure for persons with disabilities

Sagamore Publishing, Inc. Champaign, Illinois, 2003. — 18 pages.IntroductionThe power of music was recognized by the ancients as a means of promoting health and well being. Plato, Pythagoras, and even the apostles in the Bible wrote of the restorative and healing qualities of music. The discipline of music therapy is a modality that harnesses the power of music to effect positive changes in individuals.
Music therapists work with many types of populations in a variety of settings.
This book will explore the use of music therapy in school and community settings to enhance the development of independent leisure skills with a variety of client populations, including children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and other aging-related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, and physical disabilities.Chapter 1 will offer a description of the historical development of music therapy and training of the music therapist.
Chapter 2 describes the types of people who may benefit from music therapy, and the types of interventions that are commonly used with specific populations. The next section of the book addresses issues specific to the use of music therapy in schools.
Chapter 3 describes models of music therapy service delivery in school settings.
Chapter 4 will address assessment and treatment planning for the IEP.
Chapter 5 will elaborate on IEP goals and objectives, and offer appropriate activities that may be used to meet IEP goals. The next two chapters provide information on music therapy in community settings, with specific description of leisure skill development through music therapy
activities.
Chapter 6 describes models of service delivery in community settings, including assessment and treatment planning, while
Chapter 7 offers ideas for goals, objectives and activities.
In Chapter 8, the modalities of dance therapy, art therapy, and drama therapy are described, with suggestions for integrating a variety of creative arts activities into music therapy treatment. Specific attention is paid to creating therapeutic performing arts opportunities.
Chapter 9 describes music therapy program development, including suggestions for equipment purchasing as well as organizing a music therapy department.
Chapter 10 offers resources including current web sites in the field of music therapy, vendors and suppliers of equipment, recommended readings and song books, and organizations for support. As we enter the new millennium and beyond, it is hoped that some of the
suggestions in this text will provide alternative avenues through musical experiences
that will enable individuals with disabilities to achieve their greatest potential
for independence and a high quality of life.