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What
is public school music therapy (MT) service?
As a related service according to IDEA, MT
service assists students to be functional participants in their
educational environment. Music therapists provide direct and
consult services to a student when assessed to show that MT is
needed to assist in gaining IEP progress. Music therapy may
include:
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providing and modeling songs to teachers to
help with specific IEP objectives
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providing ideas to assist with MT
relaxation techniques and those to assist with regulation and
sensory needs
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use of music and music activities to help a
student achieve on their IEP
What are the levels of
MT service?
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Direct:
provided directly as coded on their IEP to a student either
individually or within a group when MT is shown to provide a
unique assist and/or motivation in performing goal related
behavior
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Consult:
quarterly meetings as coded on their IEP provided to school
teams on behalf of a student
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Resource teacher:
MT ideas provided on an informal basis upon request to a teacher
or parent when a student would not qualify for direct/consult
services
Which students are eligible for MT services on their IEP?
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Using the
Pre-Assessment Guidelines, a teacher determines that a
student is not making IEP progress and appears to demonstrate
positive behaviors when music is in the class environment
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Contact an MT to have them complete an
informal pre-assessment observation to determine if the
guidelines are met
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If the MT determines that a student
qualifies for an assessment, a team is held to give permission
to assess. See Music
Therapy Program and Assessments
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A SEMTAP (Special Education Music Therapy
Assessment Process) is completed by the music therapist within
60 days. The test compares student responses on selected IEP
objectives with both music and nonmusic interventions. The
SEMTAP (1995), is used nationally by music therapists in public
school systems.
Who provides school MT services?
Music Therapy services are provided by
nationally Board Certified Music Therapists who are employed by
BCPS. The MT-BC status signifies that each has completed a degree
or equivalency degree in music therapy from an approved American
Music Therapy Association program, completed an intensive 6 month
internship, have passed an MT Board Certification test, and continue
to either retake the test or complete ongoing continuing education
programs every 5 years.
Music therapists are part of the
transdisciplinary team who use music therapy interventions to assist
with IEP objectives provided by other team members for a student.
What is the difference between public school MT and private MT?
School MT services must prove to be required
for a student to benefit and make progress in their educational
programs when determined by assessment results using the SEMTAP.
Private MT can address other areas of a disability that do not
interfere with education and qualification is not based on SEMTAP
assessment results.
How can I
find out more about school based MT?
If your child attends a Baltimore County Public
School:
Contact your child’s teacher or IEP chairperson
assigned to your child’s school.
What
MT resources are there?
American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
www.musictherapy.org
AMTA Fact Sheet- MT and Public Schools
www.musictherapy.org/factsheets/MT%20Special%20Ed%202006.pdf
AMTA Fact Sheet- MT and Autism
www.musictherapy.org/factsheets/MT%20Autism%202006.pdf
Products to assist with typical IEP
objectives
www.westmusic.com
books, music, cd’s, instruments. They have a
music therapist on staff who can assist with recommendations for
specific products based upon your need.
www.spectrumconnections.com
A DVD series featuring a preschool music
therapist leading sessions on various topics with real life students
though songs and activities with corresponding real life film
footage.
www.time2sing.org
CD’s of music performed at a slower tempo to
assist with speech.
www.rivannamusic.com
CD’s by a music therapist that assist with
speech, academic skills, and social skills. Includes award winning
“My Turn, Your Turn” with free downloadable Boardmaker lyrics.
www.expresstrain.org
a variety of CD’s using music to assist with
speech and language development through imitation.
www.reiinstitute.com
a music medicine research company with CD’s of
background music to assist with focus, attention, and to produce a
calmer affect.
Piggyback
songs
MT
PowerPoint
presentation
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