Music is a language that people of all ages, religions, nationalities, and ethnicities speak. Hearing a certain tune can trigger nostalgic moments of our lives that take us back to happier, or sadder times. In a way, music speaks louder than anything. It has the capacity to touch every soul, including those of children and adults with special needs, and it can be an incredible tool in their education and socialization.
Creativity is a powerful teaching tool, and since music is filled with creative interaction, it is a perfect teaching tool for people with special needs, especially for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other special needs like cerebral palsy, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), and those with learning disabilities.
Exposure to music can also establish emotional understanding in children and adults as well as encourage responsiveness, empathy, and communication. It also promotes feelings of empowerment and connectedness that can make a huge impact in the life of any person.
How Special Needs Children & Adults Benefit From Music Lessons
Music helps children and adults with special needs learn to participate in very different ways as opposed to a traditional auditory and/or visual classroom settings. Instead of speaking or writing, people can use music to communicate their experiences. This kind of learning is effective in many ways.
Multi-Sensory Learning
Unlike traditional instruction, which may include auditory or visual learning, music is a multi-sensory experience that uses the tactile system, auditory system, and visual system of an adult or child to provide a whole-body experience. The more senses you can involve in the learning process, the better.
Music is Non-Verbal
For many children and adults with disabilities, words present an enormous challenge. Some have difficulty expressing themselves or their feelings, while others have a hard time communicating or processing their words. Music plays a key role in bridging the gap of communication and eliminates the barrier of turning their inner feelings into verbal expression. It offers freedom of expression and relief by allowing children and adults to speak without using any words at all.
Music and the Brain
Music is processed in many regions of the brain simultaneously. Research has proven that while language and social abilities in children and adults with ASD show impairment, children with ASD process music in the same ways as those who do not have autism. Other studies have also shown similar findings of individuals with ASD showing a preference for musical learning over visual stimuli. In terms of musical interest and ability, those with autism have an advantage over those without it.
Music Is Motivating
When forced to do mundane tasks like cleaning the house or going for a jog, lots of people like to turn on their favorite music to help motivate them. In this very same way, music can be a great motivator for children and adults with special needs. It can push people out of their comfort zones and have positive behavioral impacts on the way children and adults learn and develop new skills.
Music Improves Learning
Using music in an education environment is a great way to enhance learning for persons with special needs who do not learn well through traditional methods. Research has shown that there are direct connections between music and specific skill sets in the following areas:
Singing––enhances communication skills and speech.
Rhythm––improves and refines motor skills.
Memorizing lyrics––helps students better memorize academic material.
Listening to music––increases focus in students in the classroom.
If you are looking for special needs private music lessons for a child or adult, contact Kathryn Brickwell Music today at https://www.music-instruction.com and 800-285-5732. They offer special needs private music lessons for special needs people of all ages and experience levels.
Music has proven to have a behavioral impact on students with special needs, improving appropriate behavior and interpersonal interaction. Music lessons can make a huge difference in the life of a special needs child or adult. The Kathryn Brickwell Music Instruction music instructors will work diligently and patiently to help every special needs music student with anxiety, discomfort, and pain associated with communication and tasks. Contact Kathryn Brickwell Music Instruction today to find out more about special needs music lessons. https://www.music-instruction.com