Music Therapy at Wildwood

1. Music Therapy at Wildwood School integrates planning with teachers, occupational therapists, language therapists, parents and other core team members, allowing for reinforcement of skill development in multiple environments.

• Songs are created to accompany books and themes used in the classroom that reinforce vocabulary, language concepts and
  social skills. They are taught in a learning environment that fosters active participation, modeling, imitation and reciprocity.
• Special attention is given to the sensory-motor skills the students need to successfully participate in movement and instrumental activities. This is achieved through integrated planning with and input from occupational therapy.

2. Music Therapy at Wildwood School is individualized to help specific students achieve goals based on needs identified by core team members. When a task sequence is embedded within the rhythmic and melodic framework of a song, some children are better able to internalize the steps and perform the sequence associated with the task. The unique appeal of the song competes with a child's resistance to the task and allows for learning to take place.

• Songs have been created to help teach lunch-making skills, toilet training, taking blood pressure, making beds, handwashing, tooth brushing, dressing and more.

3. Music Therapy at Wildwood School is community based.

The therapist works with other schools, artists, and agencies to develop arts-in-education opportunities that enrich curriculum. These programs are designed to be shared by Wildwood and students from other schools and include concerts, artist residencies, Imagination Celebration, Very Special Arts and special music assemblies of song and dance.

4. Music Therapy at Wildwood School is adapted to allow students with special needs develop music skills through instruction on piano, guitar, percussion, recorder, MIDI computer, synthesizer and saxaphone.

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