Music Therapy
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often face challenges in emotional expression, social communication and self-regulation as they grow up. In response to these needs, music therapy, an innovative and effective intervention, is helping more and more neurodiverse children break down these barriers.
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Gifted People Services has launched a new music therapy program in partnership with a Board Certified Music Therapist that specifically incorporates Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) interventions to provide a safe, supportive environment for children to explore themselves, express their emotions, and make progress toward their therapeutic goals through music. toward therapeutic goals.
Meet the Teacher
The program is led by Karen Kwok, a professional music therapist who holds certification as a Registered Music Therapist (MTA, MT-BC) in Canada and the U.S. With 20 years of experience in Toronto, Karen is committed to providing each child with an individualized treatment plan that helps them find the power of self-growth through music, with her extensive clinical experience and professionalism. Her expertise in the field of music therapy includes the treatment of autism, mood disorders, and other neurodiverse individuals.
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​The Instructor Therapist at Gifted People Services also participates in the sessions to provide strong behavioral intervention aids, collaborating with the music therapist to set up lesson plans together and give the child affirmation and support for positive behaviors.
Music Therapy & ABA
Music therapy is more than simply music education. It helps children with autism make progress in a number of dimensions, including emotional, social, and cognitive, through carefully designed musical interventions and techniques. Research has shown that children with autism are often highly sensitive to sound and music, and music therapy can be used to effectively mobilize their interest and engagement, which in turn promotes emotional expression and communication.
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At Gifted People Services, we use a diverse range of music therapy methods in our music therapy sessions. These methods include improvisation, rhythmic exercises, singing and instrumental interaction, etc., helping children to improve various skills in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The goal of the program is not only to improve musical skills, but also to improve emotional expression, self-esteem, concentration, self-regulation and many other aspects through music.
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In the curriculum, the principles of ABA are used in the design of musical activities to help children learn key life skills and social skills through progressive guidance and reinforcement of positive behaviors. For example, in group musical interactions, children can improve concentration through rhythmic exercises, express emotions through musical rhythms, and learn language and social skills through song imitation. This combination not only increases children's interest in musical activities, but also reinforces their learning in each small session.
Music Therapy Benefits
Music therapy sessions in conjunction with ABA not only focus on an individualized treatment plan, but also provide an opportunity for children to interact and share through a group format. The curriculum is primarily aimed at:
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Helping children identify, express and manage emotions
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Developing tools and resources for emotional expression
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Increase self-esteem and self-confidence
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Reducing anxiety and improving relaxation and concentration skills
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Improve self-regulation and behavior management skills
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Provide fun and meaningful musical experiences
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Expand interests and explore personal relationships with music
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Enhance social skills and promote peer interaction through group activities
For further information, please call 647-699-8416 / 647-978-8416 or by E-mail:
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