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Music and Special Needs |
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Music is beneficial to many people. Just because a child or adult has special needs does not mean they cannot benefit from music. Premature babies exposed to music display an increase in cognitive ability. A 1987 study of premature babies in a special care program involving music concluded that these babies had significantly higher mental and physical development over infants without the special care. Studies have shown that music increases self-confidence. Music education used to help the handicapped develops self-confidence in them, too. This self-confidence carries over to other achievements. The Arts in Education project implemented in the Clover Park School District, Tacoma, Washington resulted in a consistent increase in the number of achievement score points made. Music was useful in teaching basic academic skills, perceptual skills, and language development to handicapped children. Children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) often have short attention spans due to great amounts of energy. Classical or traditional music has calming affects on children. Music may have a similar affect on children with ADD. This may allow them to increase their focusing abilities, especially when it comes to learning. Aphasia is a language disorder resulting from a stroke. Evidence exhibits a beneficial effect for aphasic patients as a result of music. Some hospitals are using the Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT). This therapy involves speaking in a type of musical manner, characterized by strong melodic and temporal components. The use of MIT has produced the recovery of speech abilities in some aphasic patients. |
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