benefits
Research supports the use of music in the treatment of people who have various disabilities and abilities.  Parallels between non-musical functioning and music-assisted abilities provide scientific rationales for the use of music in therapy.  Music therapy techniques can aid in the timing of motor movement, the production of speech, learning new information, social interaction, maintaining attention, and modifying behavior. 

 

autism
Music therapy can aid in the development of cognitive, language, behavioral, sensorimotor, and independent-living skills of children and adults with autism.  Music therapy treatment utilizes a creative approach to integrating new abilities within a structured and predictable environment.  This allows for people with autism to learn appropriate ways to interact with others, follow a personal schedule, adapt behaviors, and cope with situations in their daily living. 

Music therapy can be used to address:
--Language Development Goals
--Social and Emotional Goals
--Cognitive Development
--Sensorimotor Development

More Information on Goal Areas (PDF)
Related Literature in Music Therapy and Autism (PDF)

medical
The prescribed use of music can be used in the medical setting for numerous individuals.  Research supports the use of rhythm in the treatment of motor dysfunction due to Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, and motor apraxia.  Music therapists provide an external timing-cue that helps coordinate motor movement in rehabilitation therapy.  Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) Techniques have shown very positive results in the treatment of gait disorders, voluntary movements, and speech production.

Research also supports the use of music in the treatment of people who have cancer, AIDS, and other diseases.  Music can be used for relaxation, re-direction of focus, and as a stimulus for activities of daily living and movement.  Music is also very powerful providing a safe environment for interaction between a patient who has a disease and their family and loved ones. 

More information of NMT Techniques (PDF)
Music Therapy and Medicine Bibliography (PDF)

special ed
Music Therapy involves using music as a creative medium for educational, physical, and social goals.  In the special education setting, music therapy specifically targets IEP goals and the music therapist works with the special education team in order to best meet the needs of the child.  Music therapy treatment is designed to reinforce skills/lessons being learned in the classroom, and can aid children who need special attention in acquiring information and skills.

 Music therapy is available to children who are in special education classes, mainstreamed classes, children who receive pull-out services, and in conjunction with other therapies.  Music therapy treatment can be a co-treatment to occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech therapy.
In the special education setting music can be used as:
--Support for Academic Lessons and Tasks
--Behavioral Reinforcement and Modification
--Structure for Communication and Social Interaction
 --Structure for Daily Tasks and Schedules
--0Motivation for Learning
--Motivation and Timing for Movement

More information on Music Therapy and Special ED (PDF)
Music Therapy and Special Education Bibliography (PDF)

rehabilitation
Current research has shown the numerous positive effects of music therapy in the treatment of people who have neurological disease and disability. Scientific studies have shown the parallels between singing and speech production, rhythm and movement, and song structure/mnemonics and learning.  These parallels provide evidence-based support for the use of music in the treatment of non-musical goals.  Specific neurologic music therapy techniques have been established from the study of music on non-musical functioning, providing viable treatment options for persons who have neurolodic disease or disability. 

Neurologic music therapy treatment has been shown to improve or maintain motor, cognitive, communication, and socioemotional functioning.  Neurologic Music Therapy treatment can be beneficial to persons receiving rehabilitation services for stroke, Parkinson's Disease, cerebral palsy, aphasia, apraxia, and traumatic brain injury. 

More Information on NMT Techniques (PDF)
Neurologic Music Therapy Bibliography (PDF)

learning
Current research has shown the ability for music to assist in learning academic and pre-academic skills.  Music is an extremely motivating medium that can aid in the retention of information needed to learn reading, writing, mathematics, and general studies.  Pre-academic skills, such as attention, eye contact, and turn taking, can also be targeted in music therapy sessions.  Music interventions can also be utilized to help facilitate important behavioral and social skills that are necessary for learning.  The goal of music therapy is to use music as a stimulus for learning, with a return to non-musical learning once the child has acquired the skills necessary for academic success.  Music therapy interventions are measure in non-musical terms and can follow the student's Individualized Education Plan. 

 More information on Music Therapy and Learning Disabilities (PDF)
Music Therapy and Learning Disabilities Bibliography (PDF)