Resources & references

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Our website is an ever-growing hub of reference material for anyone interested in learning more about music therapy: videos, presentations, interviews, articles, research papers, information about the profession of music therapist and other documents to better understand music therapy and its benefits.

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21 results
Music therapy, with a focus on babies, at the Montreal Children's Hospital
2021
Language
Bilingual (English & French)
Subtitle
French/English - in language other than audio
Source / Publisher
Montreal Children's Hospital

 Pascal Comeau is part of the team of music therapists working at this hospital. With a variety of instruments, Pascal does much more than make music. By cleverly using soothing sounds, bright colors and fun shapes, he helps children who are admitted to the hospital for long periods of time or who have frequent appointments express their stress, fears and other feelings through music.For children with physical disabilities, playing an instrument and moving to the beat of the music can even improve their motor skills. In this video, find out more about the fascinating profession of music therapist!

Music therapy: ‘Her face just lights up when she hears it’
2022
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
BBC News Northern Ireland

Watch the music therapy journey of a young girl with cerebral palsy and blindness. Her mother tells the changes she witnesses in her daugther during music therapy sessions. Also, this video explains how music therapy is provided in Northen Ireland. The Royal National Institute for the Blind advocates for more music therary access for children in this country. 

Music, Therapy and Early Childhood: A Developmental Approach
2008
Author
Elizabeth K. Schwartz
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Barcelona Publishers

A comprehensive guide to music therapy with young children, providing a detailed examination of development from birth to age five, with theoretical perspectives and extensive scales of developmental milestones.
The author categorizes development within five levels. An expansive catalog of musical goals is provided for singing, playing, moving, and musical understanding within each level.

Reporting on outcomes: An adaptation of the ‘AQR-instrument’ used to evaluate music therapy in autism
2012
Author
Lawes, M.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Approaches: Music Therapy & Special Music Education 4(2), 110-120.

 This article introduces an adaptation of the music therapy and autism specific AQR-instrument. The author developed this adaptation following the requirement to report on the outcomes of his work at a school for children with autism. After introducing the AQR-instrument, the author describes how his adaptation enables him to produce bar charts illustrating client progress. 

Simra - Exploring the World Through Music
2019
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia

Simra was born with the rare conditions Lebers Amaurosis and Joubert Syndrome leaving her with total blindness as well as having poor muscle tone, co-ordination and balance. Watch as Simra explores the world through music with the help of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.

The effects of structured musical activity sessions on the development of a child with autism spectrum disorder: A case study
2015
Author
Rose, P., & Johnson, K.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Music Therapy & Special Music Education

This case study sought to discover the effects of structured music activity sessions on eye contact and communication skills of Hunter; a six year old, high functioning child with autism.

Therabeat: Music Therapy for Kids
2015
Language
English
Source / Publisher
CNN

This video provides music therapy live footage and testimonials of its impact in the life of children and their parents. It documents music therapy with young children within a developmental approach. 
It documents the approach and the work of Jennifer Puckett, MT-BC.

Using music-adapted technology to explore Bruscia’s clinical techniques introduced in autism research: Pilot study
2020
Author
Kurkjian, A., & Skinner, K.. Ahonen, H.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy

 This pilot research investigated eight most commonly used Bruscia’s (1987) clinical improvisation techniques utilised in music therapy with autistic clients: imitating, reflecting, synchronising, extending, symbolising, holding, incorporating, and rhythmic grounding. Improvisations were recorded using LogicPro connected to MalletKAT
instruments. Improvisations were analysed using music-adapted technology, the MIDI Toolbox.

What sound can you make? A case study of a music therapy group for children with autism, learning disabilities and challenging behaviours.
2015
Author
White, B.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy

 Children with autism have historically received individual music therapy sessions; however they can also benefit from small group work where they can have a shared musical experience.