Music Therapy in the Context of the Special School

Abstract

Music therapy in special education aims to address the learning goals for students with disabilities in group or individual sessions. Music therapy practice has a long history of service within special education, and has a developing evidence base to support the benefits of music therapy. This chapter describes how music therapy is included within a special school setting which provides education services to students with disabilities. Music therapists work alongside allied health and education professionals to assist students to achieve learning targets in areas of communication, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Planning and evaluation are important in order to chart progress and adapt programmes to ensure they are optimizing outcomes for participants.