Striking right note with special kids

Most children with special needs have the same yearning for adventure and love for stories and music as regular kids. With a little patience and the use of special teaching methods, one can work wonders in terms of expanding the minds of these kids.

With an aim to empower differently-abled children through alternative means of emotional expression, Mpower’s has devised a music therapy session to help them learn, accept and express themselves and build bonds with others. The session is mainly for children with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, developmental delay, cerebral palsy and learning difficulties.

According to Juhi Parmar, organiser and psychologist at Mpower, this session intends to bring special kids together. “Some children with special needs have difficulties in social settings. Meeting for group activities with a trained professional can help in many ways,” says Juhi.

For the session they have a trained music therapist on board. And the children, below the age of 12, will not be categorised as per their abilities rather the therapist will have a one-on-one interaction with the children giving a complete analysis.

“Bringing children together gradually helps in building confidence and cooperation. Music can instill calmness, and the therapist will be using activities for building skills like attention and coordination among others,” she says.

The team, along with music therapist Samay Ajmera, is on a mission to create a safe and non-judgemental environment. “My sessions will allow children to be themselves and boost their confidence through singing, playing instruments and improvising with others,” he says.

Talking about the importance of allied training, the music therapist says, “Music has a unique power to stimulate all senses in an individual. This is especially effective for children with developmental delays and special needs. The self-expression that occurs can elevate moods, reduce stress, lower anxiety and provide feelings of self-worth and pride.”

City-based consultant psychiatrist Dr Alpes Panchal says that these sessions are unconventional ways to help differently abled children grow. “Stimulated exercises benefit them well because these children do not have the ability to understand the conventional practices,” says Dr Alpes.

He adds, “It also depends on how well the training is structured; the trainers should be well qualified and specialised children therapists as every differently abled child has different symptoms so it’s recommended that the kids are differentiated with their symptoms and are,  accordingly, placed in groups.

One of the main goals that the music therapist strives to accomplish with these children in a group setting is  socialisation. “Consistent individual and group music therapy sessions can improve a child’s overall well-being in social and even educational environments,” concludes Samay.

Music Therapy WorkshopOn May 19, 4 pm onwards At Mpower The Centre