Examining Early Childhood Telehealth Music Therapy

Feasibility and Application

Authors

  • Andrew Knight Colorado State University
  • Helen Dolas California State University-Northridge

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide feasibility and application information to EI practitioners for a better understanding of the nature of music therapy and music and EC research processes, particularly in a telehealth environment. We altered a traditional study protocol to create a 12-week telehealth music therapy program. At the time of this writing, data collection is ongoing, so this report will focus on feasibility and application of the music therapy services delivered in group and one-on-one formats at the facility and in-home, including response-to-intervention frameworks for determining placement of services. Specific to early intervention, this report will detail 1) telehealth music therapy services, 2) study methods, 3) session design and examples, and 4) benefits and barriers of telehealth music therapy and technology.

Author Biography

Helen Dolas, California State University-Northridge

Helen Dolas, MS, MT-BC Has been teaching at CSUN in the Music Therapy program since 2009 and has taught many of the main courses in the degree program.  She also teaches an online course in Music Appreciation (MUS 105) each semester.

Professor Dolas is a pioneer in the therapeutic application of creative arts for individuals with disabilities, and the Founder/CEO of Arts & Services for Disabled, Inc. in Long Beach, California, which she established in 1982 while completing a Masters degree in Special Education. A musician by training and a board-certified music therapist, Dolas adopted a personal mission to direct her considerable energy and creative attention to changing the therapeutic experience and quality of life offered to adults living with disabilities. Driven by Dolas’ life-affirming “Love Before Learning” philosophy, the nonprofit Arts & Services for Disabled (ASD) today serves more than 3,000 people annually through a variety of services including enrolled day programs, outreach programs, gallery shows and exhibitions, micro-enterprise initiatives and community partnerships.

As one of the largest employers of music therapists in the region, Ms. Dolas has been the Clinical Training Director of her American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)-approved music therapy internship program since 1984, and is currently on the music therapy faculty at California State University, Northridge. Previously, as an adjunct professor at Chapman University, she established several new music therapy clinical training sites: at a private school for youth with autism, at a center that serves traumatized at-risk youth, and at UC Irvine Medical Center's Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Ms. Dolas also recently co-founded the International Foundation for the Healing Arts to promote the development of music therapy services and has traveled widely as a sought-after speaker and panelist, including participating as one of 15 U.S. delegates invited by Her Highness Sheikah Mozah of Doha, Qatar, to participate in the Third Annual International Forum of Children with Special Needs. She has received numerous awards including a National Model Program Award presented to her at the U.S Senate.

Published

2023-01-18

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 2 (2021): International Journal of Music in Early Childhood

Section

Research Articles