These two therapists both specialize in music therapy for people on the autism spectrum and combined their expertise in order to provide a 10 week series of music therapy groups for children on the autism spectrum. This Music Therapy Outreach Program is supported, in part, by a generous grant from Autism Speaks.

Many of our facilitations place emphasis on developing motor planning skills. In both one-to-one and group sessions, we work to develop the parts of the brain that deal with movement. Through training, the brain can change both in structure and function and new neural connections can be made through repetition.

Rhythm can play a huge role in activating the motor areas of the brain and has been found to not only affect the timing of movement but the total movement pattern.

We especially like to implement facilitations that target cross lateral movement: crossing midline. Crossing midline is very important for brains of all ages! When you participate in cross lateral movement, the right and left hemispheres of the brain interact, which activates the brain and helps to build stronger connections between the hemispheres.

Cross lateral movement helps create connections between nerve cells and is critical to the development of complex skills such as the ability to understand what we read or what someone is saying to us (which requires both hemispheres working together and separately). Lateralization is key in reading, writing, gross motor control, and organization.

2:06 Paddle drum song inspired by Kimberly Sena Moore of Music Therapy Maven. http://www.musictherapymaven.com/