Client Populations

Peak Pathways Music Therapy provides services for individuals with developmental and neuroligic impairments. Detailed information about the use of music therapy with these populations can be found below. Scroll down for information on more client populations.

Music stimulates all of the senses and involves the child at many levels. This "multi-modal approach" facilitates many developmental skills.
Quality learning and maximum participation occur when children are permitted to experience the joy of play. The medium of music therapy allows this play to occur naturally and frequently.
Music is highly motivating, yet it can also have a calming and relaxing effect. Enjoyable music activities are designed to be success-oriented and make children feel better about themselves.
Music therapy can help a child manage pain and stressful situations.
Music can encourage socialization, self-expression, communication, and motor development.
Because the brain processes music in both hemispheres, music can stimulate cognitive functioning and may be used for remediation of some speech/language skills.

Music therapy services for young children with ASD are very effective for improving communication, interpersonal skills, personal responsibility, and play (Whipple, 2012).
Music therapy interventions may elicit joint attention (Kalas, 2012); enhance auditory processing, other sensory-motor, perceptual/motor, or gross/fine motor skills (LaGasse & Hardy, 2013); and identify and appropriately express emotions (Katagiri, 2009).
Music therapy interventions based on family-centered practice may increase social engagement in the home environment and community (Thompson, McFerran, & Gold, 2013)
Music therapy interventions using musically adapted social stories may modify target behavior and teach new skills (Brownell, 2002).

Music therapy provides opportunities for:

Memory recall which contributes to reminiscence and satisfaction with life
Positive changes in mood and emotional states
Sense of control over life through successful experiences
Awareness of self and environment which accompanies increased attention to music
Anxiety and stress reduction for older adult and caregiver
Nonpharmacological management of pain and discomfort
Stimulation which provokes interest even when no other approach is effective
Structure which promotes rhythmic and continuous movement or vocal fluency as an adjunct to physical rehabilitation
Emotional intimacy when spouses and families share creative music experiences
Social interaction with caregivers and families