Recreation
Music Therapy Unleashes Potential
Imagine going into a room filled with instruments— drums, guitars, a piano, an omnicord, autoharp, and bean bags— and being able to choose which instrument to play or whether to sing or dance with streamers.
Children and adults who participate in music therapy get such a chance. As much fun as it is, music therapy is also very much therapeutic. Cindy Edgerton of the Michigan State University Music Therapy Clinic, describes music therapy as working on nonmusical goals and objectives through music. Often, people’s goals in music therapy are similar to the goals in occupational, speech, or physical therapy. For example, a girl learning to push her own wheelchair might be more motivated to do so to reach the piano at the other end of the room. A child who favors one hand may be moved to use the other hand to play a drum.
MSU’s Music Therapy Clinic is unique in that it is the only clinical training program in the state, giving music therapy students the opportunity to work directly with children and adults with disabilities. In addition to student-run sessions, which are free, the Clinic offers sessions by music therapists such Cindy Edgerton and her colleagues for a fee.
Most insurance companies do not cover music therapy so many families must pay for it privately. It also can be covered by schools as a related service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Some hospitals and clinics may also offer music therapy.
At the MSU Clinic, Cindy sees about 30 children each week. Some work with her for years, others only work with her until a specific goal is achieved. Each child she sees is assessed to determine his or her goals. In addition, Cindy reviews the referral from the child’s doctor, other therapists or the school. Then she lets the child lead the session, choosing the instrument and activity while Cindy incorporates the child’s goals into the session.
For each child, it’s an opportunity for self-expression. Even when a child is unable to speak, he or she can communicate and interact with Cindy by playing an instrument in response to her playing, by not playing, or by choosing a different instrument. The session is always tailored to the child’s interests.
One her favorite students was Eric Winter, who passed away in February 2003. Eric, who was born with cerebral palsy, started music therapy with Cindy when he was five after a preschool teacher identified his musical talent.
Cindy said that Eric challenged her from the very beginning. “He would make me play guitar for the entire session, when I’m a piano player.” She continually looked for ways to challenge Eric and expand his musical gift. In the last year of his life, he started to write music with the help of music therapy students. This is an amazing accomplishment, considering that he could not speak. But he could indicate “yes” or “no” and he did so as the students played different notes. Sometimes, it would take an hour to find just the right note.
Eric’s mother is awed by what Eric accomplished and by the music therapy program that helped him. She describes the program staff as wonderful professionals who are able to look beyond a person’s disability to find what is inside. And unleash it.
MSU's music therapy program is beginning an annual summer camp for adults with disabilities, children with disabilities, and their siblings. It is made possible in part by the many generous donations received in Eric's memory. For more information, contact Cindy Edgerton at (517) 353-6426 or edgerto3@msu.edu.
Eric's mom Judy Winter is a former Board member of UCP Michigan and a writer who has long used her talent and skills to share Eric’s and her vision of truly inclusive communities.
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