Provide intervention techniques through music for students whose handicapping condition interferes with their ability to benefit from educational programming.

Definition

Music therapy is a related service as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and can, therefore, be included in a student's Individual Education Program (IEP) when it is deemed educationally necessary by the Admission Review and Dismissal Committee. Services are provided by a board-certified music therapist to assist a student in making progress toward non-musical goals with the collaboration of the student's educational team. Music therapy has the potential to address skills within the following clinical domain areas: Cognitive, Behavioral, Physical, Emotional, Social, Communication, and Sensorimotor.

Eligibility

A music therapy eligibility assessment is requested by the IEP committee. The assessment process determines if there are significant differences in student responses with music-related strategies versus those without music-related strategies. Upon completion of the eligibility assessment by a Board-Certified Music Therapist, an IEP meeting will be held to discuss the eligibility assessment.

Resources