Neurologic Music Therapy: Supporting School-Readiness Skills in Children with Hearing Loss.

Abstract

Children with hearing loss who use listening and spoken language as their method of communication are now being integrated into regular classrooms at school entry due to the development of sophisticated hearing technology. However, areas in overall development may lag as the delay in accessibility to speech and language makes it difficult to reach age-appropriate levels in time for kindergarten. Supporting development in these areas of challenge requires explicit teaching and experience in listening, language, social and executive function skills, literacy, and balance. Participating in a group music and movement class with a focus on areas of challenge for children with hearing loss using Neurologic Music Therapy techniques allows for goal directed therapy and practice along with the opportunity to interact with peers in a supportive environment. An overview of the specific techniques for each area of interest and how they can be used is discussed along with a sample curriculum.