Essay about Music Therapy and Down Syndrome - 1188 Words

A doctor shares the diagnosis of Down Syndrome with parents of 1 in 691 live births (NADS). Years ago, before research found the basic cause of the disorder, people with Down’s Syndrome were placed in institutions to live. Some people still believe that children born with Down’s syndrome are not capable of learning. In a group of children where all hope seems gone, music therapy has been found to be very beneficial. It can enhance physical, social. intellectual, and emotional development of the children. â€Å"Music therapy is the skillful use of music and musical elements by a music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health (Angus 4).† It is used to achieve therapeutic results†¦show more content†¦Julie Wylie, music therapist from New Zealand, wrote an article in which she explained how music is a part of the human body. Music can be found in the body’s heartbeat, breathing, and movement. Melody can be heard in the laughs and cries of the person. She found that many adults and children with Down syndrome are very good at dance. They feel as if they can be themselves and express themselves without a spoken word (Buckley 33). Music therapy can help promote and maintain intellectual and social development. Working in a group setting has been practiced by many music therapists. They have found that it is useful for working on social skills, coordination, and sense of achievement. (Cullum 3) As they began working, they also found that children with language disabilities respond to language quicker through music than in speech. (Smith 2) The Music Therapy Association of British Columbia says, â€Å"Singing can improve communication through addressing specific expressive and receptive language skills, including articulation, breath control, fluency, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary (Angus 5)†. There are some children who are not able to speak well but will sin g along to songs that they have learned (Wilson 1). There are many ways to teach children and adults with Down syndrome how to sing and talk. In one case, a toddler named Bret started music therapy to increase hisShow MoreRelated Autistic Savant Syndrome in the Film Rain Man Essay928 Words   |  4 PagesAutistic Disorder: Savant syndrome The Hollywood film Rain Man is about the Autistic disorder Savant syndrome. In Rain Man, Raymond Babbitt (played by Dustin Hoffman) has Savant Syndrome and his brother Charlie Babbitt (played by Tom Cruise) finds out about Raymond being his brother and that he is good with numbers so Charlie decides to use his brother to make money. 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