Introducing the Music Therapy Visual Schedule Approach (MT-ViSA): Contexts and considerations for visual design and production

Abstract

Visual schedules have been used with different population groups within music therapy practice, mostly with people on the autism spectrum, however there is a paucity of focused literature on the use of these tools in the field. Drawing on a range of diverse information sources (e.g. literature, research data, practice experience), the Music Therapy Visual Schedule Approach (MT-ViSA) was developed. The MT-ViSA is a co-design approach to using visual schedules within music therapy practice. This article introduces the MT-ViSA and poses detailed questions under the four components of assessing, planning, delivering and evaluating; and visual design and production considerations for music therapists utilising a visual schedule within their work. This article suggests that a visual schedule may be of benefit to music therapy participants with different needs across the lifespan. It is anticipated that the outputs from this research will contribute to the evidence-base and practice approach of utilising visual schedules within music therapy service delivery.