Music and Developmental Disabilities

Introduction

Music therapy provides a unique opportunity, which is not necessarily present in all forms of therapy. Thanks to a wide variety of music based technologies employed during a music therapy session, the child is not only able to work on improving important skills that will benefit him/her in life, but the child is also able to participate in activities that provide happiness and enjoyment. Many children, especially those with more severe physical impairments often rely on others to perform a majority of their daily routines. During music therapy sessions, the child is in control and is able to create and accomplish tasks for him or herself; this may be the first time an opportunity of this sort has arisen. The following chapter provides a brief background on music therapy: what it is, how it is done, why it works, how its effectiveness has been tested, as well as an explanation of a wide variety of contemporary technologies that are being used to benefit children with developmental delays.