Resources & references

This study explores the factors involved in successful development of music therapy programmes for individuals with intellectual disability services in Ireland. Music therapists who have developped programs, as well as (non-music therapist) managers of music therapy programs share their perspectives.

Read a case study about the use of improvisational music therapy for an adolescent with intensive support needs. Themes discussed include choices around structure, multi-sensory approaches, and the musical material.

This study explored perspectives and social needs of aging adults with IDD as expressed by them through actions, words, music, and art that they shared in a university community Art Hive. Using collaborative and participatory methods, this research contextualizes the Art Hive as a place of social, creative, and relational engagement and inclusion.

Read an article seeking to develop a music therapy assessment tool to meet the unique needs of individuals with severe to profound multiple disabilities. The resulting tool was deemed impractical for use, and suggestions for future research discusses the development of guidelines for working with this population, rather than a specific tool.

Through interviews, musical activities, and testimonials, see how music therapist Ángel Girón facilitates group music experiences to support communication, self-expression, connection, and physical skills for disabled adults.

Read an article written by music therapist/special educator, Jiří Kantor, on the unique aspects that music, as a method of connection and communication, can bring to the life and overall wellbeing of individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Discussion of the important role that music therapists can play in interdisciplinary teams for these individuals is also discussed. 

Listen to music therapist Savannah Zimlich explain how she uses music therapy with individuals with multiple disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities. She equally discusses how interdisciplinary collaboration assists these individuals in reaching their full potential. 

Discover the story of a teenage boy living with Angelman Syndrome, who received music therapy sessions to support goals such as communication, motor skills, and concentration. Watch as he plays instruments and participates in vocal activities, and hear reflections from his mother and music therapist on his treatment and development.

Read an article exploring four case studies of music therapy with young children who had intellectual disabilities and complex needs. The music therapy sessions were compared to toy-play sessions, led by the same therapist, and results indicated that both conditions were similar in the quantity of communicative interactions, but that the music therapy communicative attempts displayed more interpersonal interactions.

Read a scoping review on musical interaction in young people with severe or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Findings highlight six categories of promising components of musical interaction and suggest that musical activities, including music therapy, have positive benefits in a number of domains for this population.

Read an article that explores a group music therapy radio project for students with intellectual disabilities and their mothers. Results showed that the majority of students showed significant engagement with the recordings of their mother's voice, including significant emotional reactions, even though the mothers were not physically present. 

Read a case study presenting the use of the non-verbal voice in music therapy for a young girl with severe intellectual disabilities, complex needs, and autism to build connections within herself and with the music therapist.