Music Therapy

Dear Doctor,
I am trying to get music therapy for my 4 year old disabled son who also receives OT and PT through our local school system's special needs department.  We live in an area of Massachusetts where music therapy is not normally used.  I have heard such wonderful things about it from others who live in different school systems.  I would like to approach our special needs director with my request, but would appreciate any supporting information about this therapy that I could take with me to bolster my line of reasoning.  I would greatly appreciate hearing your opinions about music therapy, and any steps I could take to help me in my efforts to get this therapy for my son, and any supporting data or references that may help me.  Thanks, Reg

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Reg,

I won't be of much direct assistance to you on this topic - it's not something of which I'm abreast. But you might find the web site www.autism.org useful - music therapy is a form of treatment employed with children who display Pervasive Developmental Disorders, and you can read about it on that site.

[Cynthia]

You may find info from the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).  I believe they have a website www.amta.com  which could help you to find services in your are as well as benefits of music therapy with your child.  Unfortunately MT isn't offered in many areas as part of school services yet but you may be able to find some private practice therapists in your area.  Hope this helps.  Music Therapy does!