American Music Therapy Association

Music therapists have a unique opportunity to help clients of all abilities tap into the self and give an outlet to individuals who may struggle connecting with others. Explore how to use music therapy to help neurodiverse individuals regulate, connect, and express themselves in a neurotypical world

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify at least 3 new strategies to provide therapy and advocate for the needs of neurodiverse individuals. CBMT Domain II. D. 3. 
2. Describe at least one new strategy to interpret client responses. CBMT Domain II. B. 3. a, b, c. 
3. Participants will create one new effective therapeutic intervention for neurodiverse populations.  CBMT Domain III. A. 2. g, n, v. 

Schedule:

• Introduction (30 minutes): Who am I?, Who are you?, Learner Objectives, Disclaimers, What is neurodiversity?, What clinical populations are associated with neurodiversity?
• Exploring Neurodiversity (30 minutes): Cross-section of neurodiversity and disabilities, What does neurodiversity look like?, Individual experiences with neurodiversity, Strategies for exploring neurodiversity
• Ethics and Neurodiversity (10 minutes): Music Therapy Code of Ethics Exploration, Our role in ethics and neurodiversity, 
• Neurodiverse Treatment Modalities (20 minutes): Styles of Treatment, Behavioral, Nordoff-Robbins, Neurological, Psychodynamic, 
• Break – 10 minutes
• Neurodiversity Exploration and Musical Experiences (30 minutes): Understanding Neurodiversity, Small group breakout – songwriting, Small group presentations
• Goal Writing for Neurodiverse Individuals (10 minutes): Exploring different modalities, Examining the cross-section and creating goals that embrace clients as well as support them
• Intervention Strategies (20 minutes): Strategies for supporting neurodiverse individuals, Sensory-regulation strategies, Activities for self-exploration and self-expression, Clinical Examples, Being mindful of triggers – understanding what can be helpful or harmful for neurodiverse clients
• Intervention Development (10 minutes): Individual and Group breakouts to create original interventions, Individual and Group presentations
• Clinical Implications for Music Therapists/Takeaways/Wrap-Up (5 minutes): Understanding our unique role in supporting neurodiverse individuals, Advocating for societal change, Clinical responsibilities Review, Learner objectives to takeaway
• Questions (5 minutes): Attendees engage with presenters