Improving communication in a group

The students in the special education department at this high school received weekly group music therapy sessions, with the primary goals of increasing communication and improving cognitive skills. The bell choir playing individual notes of “Jingle Bells” during the Christmas season is an example of using a popular song to target attention, non-verbal communication, and teamwork.

            The “Wheels on the Bus” example show music therapy in action by prompting one non-verbal student to consistently and accurately use his augmentative communication device, while another student with developing verbal skills interacted appropriately as well, singing “beep, beep, beep,” “wheels,” and “round and round” all at the right times while interacting with the other students. One can note that three other higher functioning special ed students enjoyed participating, singing and playing along, and encouraging their peers. Both videos also provide examples of how effective including teachers and paraprofessionals in the group sessions can be.