Music therapy with a child with autism

One of the most exciting thing is the first time you hear someone speak.  I was working with a young girl with autism in a music therapy group.  She can speak, but I had never heard speak.  Obviously this is not uncommon with people with autism.  I gave her plenty of opportunities to speak during the group, but she would never take it. 

At the end of the group I was singing the good bye song.  Out of the corner of my eye I see her mouthing the words.  Maybe not singing, but definately participating.  That was exciting.  When the group was over, the staff working with her encouraged her to say good bye to me.  Imagine my surprise and the suprise on the face of the staff member when she looked up at me and said, "Good bye Matthew."

Music Therapy helps a young adult with developmental delays find his voice

Music therapy can be so exciting when a break through happens.  I have been working with a young adult with developmental delays in a group for about a month.  This young man is able to speak a few words, but I have never heard him say to words in the correct context.  Last session while working with him in the context of the song we were doing he answered a question with an appropriate response.  It was awesome.  I saw the look of suprise on his mother's face and I got so excited.  It is moments like this that make me so thankful to be a music therapist.

Connections without words with a non verbal young man in Boise

I named my company Music Makes Connections for a reason.  It is so exciting to be able to connect with somebody in a way that nothing else can.  I have a nonverbal young man in a group that I work with.  He has difficulty following verbal cues.  Well, when working with recently I noticed that he began playing in perfect rhythm with me.  I started changing the tempo, and watched as he was matching my changes perfectly.  I have only been able to connect with him a little bit with words, but it was amazing to have a connection without words.