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Techniques for Working with
Children with Special Needs in the Music Classroom
Presented by Mary E. Boyle, Ed.D., State
University of New York, New Paltz
This session will focus on techniques that
music teachers can employ when working with children with
special needs. As educators, it is important that we
remember that although the child may have a diagnosis, such
as autism or learning disabilities, music may be an area of
strength for the student. Diagnoses are labels or constructs
based on statistics and probability theory. The diagnosis
focuses on areas of weakness, not strengths. As music
teachers, we offer the student an opportunity to learn a
skill that will enhance the quality of his or her life
forever. This session will review characteristics of common
disabilities of interest to the audience and how certain
techniques may allow us to reduce distractibility, anxiety,
or other problem behaviors, and to improve musical
performance and experiences. Of particular interest to
musicians are fluency training and shaping techniques. These
techniques are also useful in helping “average” students
achieve their musical potential.
Dr. Mary Boyle is Director of the
Music Therapy Program at SUNY New Paltz. Prior to her work
as a music therapist, she taught music in grades K-12 for
several years. She has been interviewed in Psychology
Today for her work with comatose patients. Her research
has been published in the Journal of Behavioral Education.
With Dr. Robert Krout, Mary co-authored The Music
Therapy Clinical Training Manual. She has also
contributed multiple chapters to various books in the field
of music therapy.
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