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Music Therapy

Music Therapy (MT) services in HEB ISD are provided by a board certified music therapist. A music therapist must obtain a music therapy degree and then pass the board exam developed by the certification board of music therapists (https://www.cbmt.org/). MT services are goal oriented and focus on improving social, emotional, behavioral, physical, and academic skills. MT services are provided in group settings and/or directly with individual students.

What is music therapy?

“Music Therapy is the clinical & evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” -from the American Music Therapy Association's Official Definition of Music Therapy

Does my child qualify for MT services?

Currently, all students in self-contained ECSE, K/1st FACI, PALS, and Blended Pre-K classes will automatically receive music therapy in a group setting. To receive music therapy individually or to include this service on his/her IEP, a student must be formally evaluated by a music therapist to determine eligibility. The ARD committee and/or guardian of the student may request an evaluation.

What does a music therapy evaluation look like?

After an official evaluation request has been made, the music therapist will gather additional information to determine which of the student’s IEP goals to focus on for the evaluation process. The music therapist will observe the student in a class setting, while working with their teacher on those specific goals. On a separate day, the music therapist will work with the student on those same specific goals with the added aid of music therapy strategies. If the student shows significant motivation and/or improvement with the use of the music therapy strategies, he/she will be recommended for music therapy services.

Direct vs Consult Music Therapy

Direct music therapy services are provided in person by the music therapist, either in a group setting or individually. Consult music therapy services means the music therapist will see the student in the classroom and provide materials to the teacher that can be utilized when the music therapist is not present.

What are music therapy strategies?

  • Recreative - playing instruments or singing songs
  • Composition - writing songs, such as fill in the blanks
  • Receptive - listening to songs or singable books
  • Improvisation - spontaneous instrument playing

 

 

Music Therapy Directory

Desiree Kelley, MT-BC
Music Therapist
desireekelley@hebisd.edu