According to the Manchester Community Music School website on music therapy, students with autism, physical handicaps, developmental delays and learning disabilities can benefit from sessions with a music therapist. Music stimulates both sides of the brain, which can help develop cognitive and communication skills. The type of music and associated exercises are based on the goals of the student.
A music therapy session varies depending on the needs of the individual. It is not necessary that the student has any background with music-making, and activities will be chosen based on what the student would most benefit from. Songs with lyrics help reinforce communication skills, other songs can be associated with relaxation skills, dancing with music engages the student physically, and improvisation encourages creativity. A combination of these activities will be tailored to the student's goals.
Music therapists are brought into schools to conduct music therapy sessions. All music therapists have completed a bachelor's degree in music therapy. They are also required to be certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists before they can practice. These college programs involve intensive study of music and music therapy and require students to complete general electives. Additionally, supervised clinical hours are required before a student can graduate with a degree and obtain certification.
Some public school systems have begun offering music therapy in the schools in the same way that speech or occupational therapy might be offered. Students with certain disabilities are eligible for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This allows parents and educators to collaborate on how to approach the student's education. According to the Prelude Music Therapy website, the decision to provide students with musical therapy can be done by an IEP or by the school system. The site goes on to explain that when done through an IEP, the committee must agree that music therapy is necessary for the student and have set goals to be met through the therapy. When the school system chooses to offer the service, it is not necessary for goals to be in the IEP for each student. The Prelude Music Therapy site explains that in this instance, children who may benefit from the therapy are offered the service in group sessions.
There are still music therapy options for students in areas where it is not available in the school system. Many music therapists have private practices where they offer their services, and many are employed by hospitals. Additionally, many community music programs have begun hiring music therapists. These programs may be year-long, or they may be offered in seasonal sessions.