Disability Services

Music therapy serving the disability community brings opportunities for learning, healing, and increased understanding of self and others. By participating in music therapy, individuals can address goals that they may have in several different domains of their wellbeing: cognitive, communication & language, emotional, social, physical, and creative/recreational. The adaptability and universal appeal of music make music therapy a valuable and impactful tool for supporting the development and well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Contact us to schedule a trial session for your program or loved one!

Segue Expressive Therapies is a special education vendor of the Children First Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization providing scholarships and tuition assistance to children with disabilities. Find out more about their funding options by visiting their website:

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Cognitive Benefits

Memory Improvement

Music therapy can aid in enhancing both short-term and long-term memory through activities like singing familiar songs or learning new musical pieces.

Attention and Concentration

Engaging with music can help improve focus and sustained attention by encouraging active listening and participation in structured musical activities.

Executive Functioning

Participating in music therapy can strengthen executive functions such as planning, organizing, and problem-solving through activities that require following sequences, making decisions, and adapting to changes in the music.

Support Academic Goals

Music therapy can support academic goals such as developing reading skills through increased phonemic awareness, understanding mathematical concepts through rhythmic counting and patterns, and reinforcing retention of academic concepts through lyrics and songs.

Communication and Language Benefits

Speech and Language Development

Music therapy can help develop or improve speech and language goals such as articulation and pronunciation, vocabulary building, or sentence structure.

Social Communication

Participating in group music therapy and group music-making provides opportunities to develop or improve cooperative communication and teamwork.

Receptive Communication

Music therapy activities that require following musical cues or instructions can improve active listening skills and auditory processing. Engaging with songs and musical stories can enhance comprehension of spoken language and improve the ability to follow directions.

Expressive Communication

Music therapy encourages verbal expression through singing, chanting, and vocal exercises, helping individuals to use their voices more confidently. For those with limited verbal abilities, playing instruments, using gestures, and participating in musical activities can provide alternative means of expression.

Emotional Benefits

Emotional Expression

Music therapy provides a non-threatening and accessible medium for expressing complex emotions that might be difficult to verbalize. Activities like songwriting, improvisation, and playing instruments offer creative ways to express feelings and thoughts.

Emotional Regulation

Listening to or participating in music therapy can have a calming effect, reducing stress and anxiety levels, as well as elevating mood. Music therapy can also provide constructive outlets for managing and expressing anger or frustration, reducing the likelihood of behavioral outbursts.

Self-Esteem and Confidence

Successfully participating in musical activities can boost self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. Mastering a musical skill or completing a musical project can give individuals a sense of pride and achievement.

Social and Emotional Skills

Group music therapy can foster empathy and understanding by encouraging individuals to listen to and support each other. As such, the effect is reduced feelings of isolation and an increased sense of feeling understood and accepted.

Social Benefits

Social Interaction Skills

Music therapy can enhance social engagement by encouraging individuals to interact with peers, therapists, and caregivers through shared musical experiences. Participants get the chance to practice social interaction skills such as collaboration and turn-taking.

Listening and Responding

Music therapy helps develop active listening skills and the ability to respond appropriately in social contexts. Through musical expression, individuals can also communicate nonverbally, which can be especially beneficial for those with limited verbal skills.

Building Relationships

Shared musical experiences can foster friendships and improve relationships among peers by providing a common interest and activity. Music therapy can involve family members, enhancing familial bonds and providing opportunities for positive interactions.

Community Integration

Music therapy can include cultural and community-based music activities, promoting inclusion and a sense of belonging within the larger community. Group projects such as putting on a performance for the broader community can increase visibility and acceptance.

physical Benefits

Motor Skills Development

Playing musical instruments like drums, pianos, or string instruments can enhance fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity. Engaging in activities like dancing, marching, or moving to the beat of music helps improve gross motor skills, balance, and overall body coordination.

Sensory Integration

Music therapy can provide multisensory experiences through sound, rhythm, and vibration, helping individuals process and respond to sensory information. Playing instruments and engaging in musical activities can provide tactile and proprioceptive feedback, improving sensory integration and body awareness.

Physical Fitness and Health

Music therapy can encourage physical activity through movement and dance, promoting cardiovascular health and overall physical fitness. Playing certain musical instruments or participating in movement-based activities can strengthen muscles and improve endurance.

Relaxation and Pain Management

Music therapy can incorporate relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation, which can reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation. Listening to or creating music can serve as a distraction from pain, helping to reduce the perception of pain and discomfort.