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Remote Music Therapy from a Parent’s Perspective

Remote Music Therapy from a Parent’s Perspective

by | Jun 17, 2020

Behind every child in music therapy, there is an adult who helped them get there. Upstate Music Therapy Center is grateful to all of our parents and guardians who have worked tirelessly to ensure their children are getting the support they need during this time.

Aaron has been receiving music therapy services for ten years now. He has adjusted to new therapists during that time and most recently has worked with Ms. Katie at Newark Education Center. Aaron is an energetic, spunky young man who loves to have a good time. He is full of smiles and laughs. Music therapy is a highly motivating means for Aaron to practice skills to be successful in the academic setting, such as following directions and engaging in conversation with his communication device.

Aaron’s Mom, Laurie, has been a wonderful participant in his music therapy sessions this spring. She is always by his side on teletherapy calls and is one of many parents who has gained a new perspective on what their child’s services in school look like.

For this interview, Aaron’s therapist chatted with Laurie about her experience with music therapy in Aaron’s life, as well as the most recent developments in teletherapy.

  • How long has your child received music therapy services? Why did you initially want him to start?

Aaron started receiving music therapy around age 3 [he is now 13]. Music would be calming when he got overstimulated and it helped him become more vocal.  

  • What are your child’s favorite instruments and songs? Do you use music in the home with your child?

He likes to play his drums at home and he likes songs fun songs. Aaron will often be heard singing in the car.  

  • Do you have any fun stories about your child and music that you would like to share?

I have enjoyed watching him participate in music. I love how he sings, knows the songs… how he can count the beat and keep the rhythm. I don’t really get to see him in action so I really have enjoyed music with Katie.

  • How does music therapy help Aaron to communicate?

Aaron can communicate [in music therapy] and Katie encourages Aaron to use his device to talk. Aaron can answer questions and is able to communicate his wants and needs with it.   

  • How has music therapy helped during this period of remote learning?

So many people complain about the tele therapies but I really like to see him in the therapy setting.   I am totally amazed at what he does.  There is a lot more to music therapy than I thought, such as following the beat, being vocal, counting, listening, following directions, and more.  

 

To Laurie, and all the other parents, guardians, and family members out there who have helped their students with teletherapy during this time, we want to thank you for all you have done. Without your help getting on Zoom calls, coping with technical difficulties, and keeping that calendar organized, we would not be able to do our jobs and provide music therapy to your children. Here’s to a summer of rolling with the changes, and continuing to develop these great relationships!

A Whole New World: Music Teletherapy

A Whole New World: Music Teletherapy

by | May 29, 2020

Prior to COVID-19, the word “teletherapy” meant very little to our team of music therapists. To even consider not driving to school, homes, or daycares was not a thought in our minds. How could it be? Yet, in a matter of days teletherapy became a new reality. All the hours spent fine-tuning our craft for in-person services had to be adjusted overnight. Looking back now, it is amazing how much our team has learned in a few short months.

A New Approach

After school closures, it quickly became apparent that the social-emotional benefits of music were taking center stage. This is a confusing time we are all in. For many families, the presence of music therapy in their homes is a welcome break to the stress they are under. At UTMC, we truly want to embrace this facet of music and ensure we are continually bringing not only music but joy into homes. Below is a photo of Sarah Ramey, an employee at UMTC accomplishing this mission during a teletherapy session! 

Supporting the Whole Family

As our team adjusted to doing therapy through a computer screen, it became apparent that we were able to help families in a unique way. By bringing music into the home, we can provide our students with a dose of familiarity in a confusing situation.

It is no secret that music has a way of lifting spirits. Our staff noticed siblings, grandparents, and parents joining sessions with a smile on their faces. Many stated they were looking forward to music all day. This is the kind of positive energy we want to bring to our families.

New Intervention Strategies

Parents and teachers aren’t the only ones learning about new technologies! Our music therapy team has been knee-deep in picking up new online learning strategies. If you are interested in pursuing online services, you will experience some of these new strategies for yourself.

1) Zoom

For the most part, our therapists use Zoom as a video chatting platform with students. Zoom comes with some great interactive features such as screen and audio sharing. While using these, the therapist is able to provide visuals and quality audio with the student on the other end.

2) PowerPoint

Many of our therapists use PowerPoint slide shows to present students with books or choice boards. It’s difficult to use visuals in hand because they may be blurry or off-angle. Using a PowerPoint via screen sharing solves that problem and provides clear visuals. 

3) Share controls

Zoom also allows for the students to have control over the screen. With this feature, the therapist is able to ask questions, have students type answers on their own, or drag and drop images to complete visual activities.

4) Props

Now more than ever it is important for therapists to grab our student’s attention. It can be so difficult to stay seated for 30-minutes, especially in front of a computer screen! Our therapists do their best to engage students with props such as hats, stuffed animals, scarves, or other colorful visuals.

New Services at Upstate Music Therapy Center

Upstate Music Therapy Center believes that music services should be accessible despite school closures. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have adjusted by offering a variety of online music activities such as Music Enrichment, online Music Therapy, and FREE Online Music for Preschoolers (available on our Facebook page through the end of June). Additionally, online Counseling services are available. If you would like to learn more about these new online services, click here.

It is a shocking, confusing, and strange time we are all in. At UMTC, we hope that our services for students and the community can bring a ray of light into the homes and lives of families we work with. Don’t forget to find humor where you can in this whole new world we live in! 

 

This blog was submitted by Katie Hall.

Mindfulness for Kids: 5 Breathing Activities

Mindfulness for Kids: 5 Breathing Activities

by | May 15, 2020

Mindfulness has become more familiar in the western world over the last 40 years. It was mainly adopted by counselors working with individuals struggling with anxiety, compulsive disorders, and past trauma, training them to use this practice in and out of counseling.  Later, yoga classes and adults looking for ways to relax began incorporating mindfulness.

Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations without judgment.  As its popularity spreads, we are now witnessing mindfulness classes in the community for adults, and schools are adding it into their curriculum for our children. This is largely due to the noted increase of stress in the lives of Americans and the impact on individuals of every age.  Did you realize that April is Stress Awareness Month? Necessary, but also concerning!

There are some wonderful ways to help our children learn mindfulness practices while they are young, in hopes that they will carry these learned skills into their adulthood. There are many types of mindfulness activities, however this week we are focusing on breathing activities.  We inhale and exhale all day long and yet rarely pay attention to the quality or pace. As we become more aware and train ourselves and our children to focus on our breathing, we will be better equipped to use these techniques when becoming stressed.

1. Squeeze Breathing – Have the child squeeze a trusted adult in a hug, give a self-hug, or squeeze a soft object. While doing so, breathe in through the nose and out slowly through the mouth three times.  Getting the proper pace of breathing is important so initially, an adult should model slow breathing for the child.

2. Count Breathing– This style of slow breathing is helpful as the child can say a number prior to inhaling and exhaling, counting up to 5 or for as long as the breathing is helpful. Saying each number out loud helps the child stay focused.

3. Music Breathing – Exposing children to all styles of music is a wonderful gift. I find that piano music is especially calming. Listen to this example of Disney music properly paced for slow breathing. This audio is over three hours long, feel free to fast forward to add some variety to your mindfulness.

 

4. Visual Breathing – For children who respond positively to visual cues there are some great free videos online. I especially recommend those with a friendly character to help the child know when to inhale and when to exhale. You may want to try this video with an animated fish.

 

5. Alternate Nostril Breathing – Children respond positively to this type of breathing as they like the idea of plugging their nose. We have children use their pointer finger to hold one nostril closed and slowly breathe in and out one time through the open nostril.  Then release that nostril and use the other pointer finger to plug the other nostril and repeat the breathing. They can alternate for as many times as the breathing is helpful in a slow rhythmic pattern.

 

For information about our counseling services with mindfulness training for adults and children use our Contact Us link.

Bringing Music into Homes ♪ A Collaboration

Bringing Music into Homes ♪ A Collaboration

by | Mar 28, 2020

In response to school closings and cancellations, Upstate Music Therapy Center has been modifying and adapting our services to meet our community’s needs. First and foremost, we are expanding our services to increase access to online musical experiences and therapy.

UMTC is excited to work with other agencies in the Rochester community to continue providing quality music therapy services. In the past year, we were grateful to establish a relationship with Autism Up, a local non profit agency. Since 2004, Autism Up has been working towards their mission to “support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and their families, by expanding and enhancing opportunities to improve quality of life.”

The members of Autism Up believe that “Every climb begins with a step.” As a therapeutic community, we are all taking these first virtual steps together.

Upstate Music Therapy Center is looking forward to our first collaboration event in response to COVID-19. On Monday March 30th at 1:00pm, we will be hosting a free Facebook Live event through Autism Up. Our very own Victoria Moore, MT-BC will be leading the musical experience. The focus of this Live group is to provide support for families at home as they navigate the uncharted waters of homeschooling. Victoria’s musical interaction with the Autism Up community will be designed to meet a range of ages and abilities, with a focus on music and movement.

Facebook Live is a unique platform. Unlike many live events, participants are able to send messages to the speaker to address in real-time. It is our hope that through this collaboration we can expand our ability to provide new and accessible music experiences for individuals to access from home.  We encourage you to check out the Autism Up Facebook and gather your kids to watch the live event this coming Monday. 

If you are interested in pursuing additional online musical opportunities with Upstate Music Therapy Center, please check out our updated services and resources.

Music Therapy Breaks Down the COVID-19 Isolation Barrier

Music Therapy Breaks Down the COVID-19 Isolation Barrier

by | Mar 26, 2020

Millions of Americans have been asked to stay home and take a pause.  Social distancing from others is mandated and when going out to get essential items we are being instructed to remain 6 feet from another person.  This is such a strange concept for many, especially children.  Schools all over the United States and across the nation have closed realizing that social distancing in a school building is incredibly challenging.  Our elders are missing having visitors in their senior homes.  This is an unprecedented time and requires us to think differently about how we socially connect with one another.

Upstate Music Therapy Center is offering opportunities to break down the isolation barrier that so many people are experiencing, young and old alike.   We are currently offering Online Options for all ages

Individual Online Music Enrichment or Teletherapy with one of our Board-Certified Music Therapists

  • Choose a familiar therapist or be assigned to a new therapist
  • Engage through a video conferencing platform such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype
  • Supporting materials can be sent via email
  • Choose the duration and focus of the session when registering

 

Online Counseling with one of our Licensed Creative Arts Therapists

  • Counseling is offered to assist any individual who’s needing to process symptoms such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and other mental health struggles
  • The counseling approach is based on a creative arts focus using music, relaxation, mindfulness and exploring avenues for self-expression
  • Sign up for a free discovery call to determine if this style of counseling is best for you

 

We soon will have Pre-School and School Age Music Enrichment Groups that you can enroll your children in that will be conducted by one of our Music Therapists on a Facebook Live Group.   All these opportunities are an effort to break down the isolation barrier with music and relationship building through online communications.  

Please complete our contact form for more information or to register. Click Here.