Frequently Asked Questions

Here at EIP Autism, we have received many quiries regarding autism in general as well as our services. These are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

On Music Therapy:
+ Who is qualified to practice music therapy?
+ What is music therapy?
+ Where do music therapist work?
+ How is music used therapeutically?
+ How can music therapy help?
+ What are the misconceptions about music therapy?

___________________________________________

Q: Who is qualified to practice music therapy?
A music therapist is an accomplished musician, able to play several instruments (usually including piano and guitar), to sing and to improvise in a variety of styles. Music therapists have a degree in music therapy from university programs approved by the relevant Music Association [like the American Music Therapy Association, British Music Association, Canadian Association for Music Therapy,]. Grounding in the theory, research and practice of music therapy and psychology is necessary to provide individuals and groups with effective therapeutic services. They also complete at least six months of full-time supervised clinical training [internship] and must also be board certified by [they become “MT-BC”] taking a national examination.
|back to questions|

Q: What is music therapy?
Music therapists work in a variety of settings, including educational, medical, psychiatric, day care treatment centers, rehabilitative facilities, correctional facilities, halfway houses and gerontology facilities. In all work settings, music therapists function as part of the multi-disciplinary team, their observations adding greatly to the understanding of each client’s needs, abilities or problems. |back to questions|

Q: Where do music therapist work?
Music therapists work in a variety of settings, including educational, medical, psychiatric, day care treatment centers, rehabilitative facilities, correctional facilities, halfway houses and gerontology facilities. In all work settings, music therapists function as part of the multi-disciplinary team, their observations adding greatly to the understanding of each client’s needs, abilities or problems.
|back to questions|

Q: How is music used therapeutically?
Music is the primary therapeutic tool. Using music to establish a trusting relationship, the music therapist then works to facilitate contact, interaction, self-awareness, learning, self-expression, communication and personal development through carefully structured activities. Examples can include:
Singing - Used to help people with speech impairments improve their articulation, rhythm and breath control. In a group setting individuals develop a greater awareness of theirs by singing together. Lyrics are used to help people with mental disabilities sequence a task.
Listening - It helps develop cognitive skills such as attention and memory. It facilitates the process of coming to terms with difficult issues by providing a creative environment for self-expression. Actively listening to music in a relaxed and receptive state stimulates thoughts, images and provides a way to explore and understand our own and other cultures.
Instruments - Can improve gross and fine motor coordination n individuals with motor impairments. Playing in instrumental ensembles helps a person with behavioural problems to learn how to control disruptive impulses by working within a group structure. Learning a piece of music and performing it develops musical skills and helps a person builds self-reliance, self-esteem and self-discipline.
Composing - Is used to develop cooperative learning and to facilitate the sharing of feelings, ideas and experiences. For hospitalized children, writing a song is a means of expressing and understanding fears.
Rhythmic movement - To facilitate and improve an individual’s range of motion, joint mobility/agility/strength, balance, co-ordination, gait consistency, respiration patterns and muscular relaxation. The rhythmic component of music helps to increase motivation, interest and enjoyment and acts as a nonverbal persuasion to involve individuals socially.

Through whatever form the therapy takes, the therapist aims to facilitate positive changes in the behavioural, physical, cognitive or social functioning and emotional well-being of individuals with health or educational problems. |back to questions|

Q: How can music therapy help?
Music is essentially a social activity involving communication, listening and sharing. These skills may be developed within the musical relationship with the therapist and, in group therapy , with other members. Children, adolescents, adults and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, physical disabilities, brain injuries and sensory impairments can greatly benefit from music therapy. |back to questions|

Q: What are the misconceptions about music therapy?
That the client has to have some particular music ability to benefit from music therapy - they do not. That there is one particular style of music that is more therapeutic than all the rest - this is not the case. All styles of music can be useful in effecting change in a client’s life. The individual preferences, circumstances and need for treatment and the client’s goals help to determine the types of music a music therapist may use.