This is part nine of my blog posts where I describe music therapy interactions I've had that are indicative of why music is so healing, meaningful, enriching and sometimes life changing!
This
post describes a music therapy session with an 18 yr old young man
who is trying to regain speech, walking and all other motor control.
His condition stems from progressive neurological complications
after the flu, fairly unusual and very sad.
Some
of my music therapy goals and objectives include stimulating and
supporting vocalizations and speech with music cues (of his favorite,
familiar music), stimulating and supporting gross and fine motor
function, again, by utilizing favorite, familiar music.
Today,
as his mom assisted with physical and vocal prompts I found myself
constantly having to play the songs as slow as I needed to - as to
let the young man be able to accurately succeed with his prescribed
vocalizations and/or movements. Also, I always diverted from the
actual (recorded) form of the song, e.g., if a song had most of the
goal areas in the chorus I would start with the chorus and repeat it
more often than other parts of the recording, etc.
So, "Why live
music (for music therapy)??"... because live music can be
precisely tailored to fit the needs of the client allow for the most
success (in a music therapy situation). And remember, PREFERRED music
has the most potential for familiarity.
Also, I want to let everyone know that my new site: musicfromthestart.com, still very new, is in the process of producing more offerings. Right now there are three offerings, i.e., two music albums available, David's Basics in Education and Lyrical Imagery and one educational lecture titled The Purposeful Use of Music From Pregnancy Through Toddlerhood (including Labor and Delivery). The second album, Lyrical Imagery, and the childbirth lecture are a free download for a limited time.
As
a reminder the main thrust of the music therapy/childbirth lecture is
to support moms (and dads) as they put together their own music
listening playlists or CDs to support rhythmic breathing, act as a
positive diversion from pain and stress, etc., to be used during
labor and delivery.
Also,
I'm looking forward to recording my second music album this spring or
summer. This is music for child development, autism and special
needs. As a reminder, one song, “High 5,” from David's Basics in
Education (music album #1) is still a free download for a limited
time.
In
upcoming posts I will continue with other
music therapy/health and wellness related blog posts.
My prescription this week??? Again, choose some favorite music to listen to (with no distractions) and chill...
AND!!!! Please share with others, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter ... Thanks
