Resources & references

What would you think if you met a person who had lost his ability to speak after having a stroke, but who could sing with perfect clarity? Harvey Alter, president and founder of the International Aphasia Movement, spoke regarding his first-hand experience on music's power to heal at the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function's 2008 Music Has Power Awards Benefit.

Click here to find out more about the therapeutic use of music in speech rehabilitation.

Watch music therapist Karen Hook describe how she uses music therapy with autistic children and children with learning disabilities. 

Click here to watch part 2 of the documentary.

Watch a video on the use of music therapy for autistic children featuring music therapists Blythe LaGasse, Jody Wilfong, and Erica Lyles. Both parent and music therapist testimonials are included.

Click here to watch part 1 of the documentary.

Listen to music therapist Calli Puko describe her work with adolescents in behavioural health. 

Watch how familiar songs presented by music therapist Roxie Raykovich help Joan, who has dementia, remember and reflect on the life of her late son.

Watch music therapy intern Lucia Clohessy explain some of the science around music therapy's use and benefits in mental health care.

Learn more about what visual impairments are, and how they affect American children. Practice guidelines for music therapists working with blind/visually impaired children are also discussed.

This video shows examples of music therapy sessions and perspectives from music therapists and the Children's Hospital in Boston.

Leticia Prieto Alvarez, a music therapist at Hebrew Senior Life, explains the benefits of music therapy for older adults and provides examples of active music therapy experiences in group and individual settings. 

Board Certified music therapy program at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Funded by Children's Miracle Network - Herskey. By manipulating the elements of a song, music therapists help control a patient's pain and anxiety, ease adjustment to the hospital setting and promote rehabilitation.

Watch how certified music therapist  Amy Smith supports children in a pediatric hospital setting, with specific examples from neonatal intensive care (NICU) and rehabilitation.

Presentation by Tanya Lavoie, certified music therapist, working at the Montreal Children's Hospital.