School-Based Music Therapy

 
 
 
Related Service Icon
 

Music Therapy as a Related Service

Music Therapy (MT) can be provided under IDEA Part B and C for children in early intervention and primary school (elementary, middle, & high school). This service is for individuals with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP).

  • requires qualification through a MT assessment by a qualified music therapist

  • may be requested by parents, teachers, and other IEP team

  • is legally binding

  • must be educationally necessary

Those students that might be appropriate for MT as a Related Service may include those:

  • not making progress or making slow progress,

  • showing sensory needs preventing them from accessing their education curriculum,

  • showing behavioral needs preventing them from accessing their education curriculum,

  • who would benefit from access to additional communication avenues

  • exhibiting anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and other mental health concerns,

  • and others……..

If you are interested in learning more about MT as a Related Service, we’d love to help answer your questions!

 
Educational Enrichment Icon
 

Music Therapy for Educational Enrichment

Music Therapy (MT) provided as Educational Enrichment is provided to groups of students who could benefit from MT services. MT provided in this manner is described as “consult to teacher and/or program.” The music therapist makes regular visits to each designated classroom, conducting sessions which serve as models for the teachers and aides. The staff then carry out the music therapy program during the time period between visits. The music therapist might come weekly or biweekly.

  • does NOT require an assessment

  • Is requested by the school district (not the IEP committee)

  • includes consultation and direct modeling sessions

  • provided to multiple students and classrooms

  • frequency and duration determined by the school district

This method of MT in schools is highly beneficial when addressing social skills; as well as, many other skills (such as sensory regulation, communication, and behavioral/emotional) that lend themselves well to a group atmosphere. Utilizing MT this way is potentially a cost saving measure because multiple students and classrooms can be worked with which may decrease the need for additional services on an IEP for individual students when music is used intentionally by the staff in the classroom on a daily basis.

Groups of students that often benefit from this type of service include student with multiple disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensory processing disorders, behavioral disorders, ADHD, and those in early intervention settings, to name a few.