“Music is a universal language,” explained Kayla Daly, MA, MT-BC, LMHC at Therapro’s recent Saturday seminar entitled: Clinical Music Therapy with Children Diagnosed with Special Needs.In addition to being a board certified music therapist, Kayla, like many other graduate-level trained therapists in her profession, is a licensed mental health counselor. Kayla provided a glimpse into the practice of music therapy, described as a “multi-modal approach.” She utilizes a goal-oriented, developmental approach to treatment. In her presentation, she dismissed a common myth that many may associate with providing music therapy, namely that it is purely aesthetic. It is a “process oriented” therapeutic modality rather than being “product oriented.” The video clips she showed of treatment sessions, as well as live use of her guitar and voice during her presentation were both enlightening and fun.

Music therapy is IDEA regulated. Since the passage of Public Law 94-142, 35 years ago, credentialed music therapists have been providing services to children with disabilities. In 2010, the US Department of education clarified the recognition of music therapy as a “related service” under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Music therapy can be an integral component in helping a child achieve educational goals that have been identified on his/her IEP.

Music therapy is a service that can work closely and cooperatively with other more traditional therapies to benefit a child. Kayla discussed the value of co-treating with therapists of other disciplines to ensure teamwork and the best outcome for each child.

Music therapy can make a difference for young children with special needs!

Those who attended this seminar were primarily OTs and educators from a variety of school settings. Attendees echoed a common positive response to Kayla’s presentation:

“Excellent speaker – excellent presentation, interesting”

“Excellent material, fun & well presented”

“I would recommend this seminar because it benefits everyone and so we can all be on the same page – knowledge is power, which creates success.”

Thank you, Kayla!

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L

September 20, 2014

A new season of Therapro’s Saturday Seminar Series is off and running! On Saturday, August 23rd Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, esteemed educator, author, and researcher spoke at Therapro on “Praxis Disorders and Intervention.” Dr. May-Benson is the Executive Director of the SPIRAL Foundation (Sensory Processing Institute for Research and Learning). This seminar provided an informative view on a complex topic. It almost felt like a fall tune-up! She clearly and succinctly reviewed the primary components of praxis, identified behaviors that are indicative of praxis dysfunction, and identified intervention strategies for praxis dysfunction.

Dr. May-Benson described praxis as a multifaceted “process” with sub-processes, involving the whole brain. Consequently, assessment and treatment of praxis dysfunction is a challenge. Dr. May-Benson provided a toolbox of intervention strategies with an emphasis on the importance of child-directed activity; without investment in a treatment activity by the child, treatment will not be meaningful, motivating, or effective for the child.

The attendees included OTs, several educators, parents and a grandparent. Across the board, comments about the seminar were all outstanding and included the following:

“Very informative. A lot of information presented in thoughtful manner.”

“Good information and gave me a better understanding of praxis disorders”

“Information was broken down in a very clear & helpful way.”

“Great information – helpful to get fuller picture of components of praxis & great ideas for interventions.”

Thank you, Teresa!

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L

August 23, 2014