Depending on your child's needs and severity of diagnosis, you may have a lot of professionals involved in your life. OT, Physio, Behavior Consultants, BI's and Respite, just to name a few.
So. Where exactly does music therapy fit into this?
While everybody is coming at your child's intervention from their own educational background and focus, the more we can communicate as a team, the more we can make sure our interventions are complementary to each other. For example, if your Speech Therapist tells me that your child is currently struggling to make an "ooo" sound, then I can incorporate that into a music-based activity that's motivating for your child. A kazoo song is a perfect tool because it won't work unless you say "ooo" into it. Or how about an animal sounds song? Moo moo mooo, a cow says MOO! Your physio is working on gross motor control? Lets do some music and movement! OT says your child is having tactile defensiveness? Great, lets see if we can get them strumming a guitar. Behavior consultant says social imitation needs work? Fabulous, lets break out some copycat and follow the leader type songs.
The more opportunities we have to practice skills, the better we get, and what I love about music therapy is that it makes the practice part naturally fun, motivating and engaging.
I am always happy to liaise with the professionals in your child's life.