Music Therapist Shows how Musical Improvisation Benefits Children with Special Needs

Music Therapist improvises with child with autism.

[joet]

As an autistic adult who has found help in my ability to play the piano, I can say with confidence that music is the most helpful thing for people with special needs. It provides a release of frustrations, sadness, joy, what have you in a constructive and often beautiful way. I have had times when I've played a piano in an area with people around me, and I just get so into it that I don't notice the crowd forming around me listening to my playing until I'm done playing. I encourage people to teach special needs kids to play an instrument. It can be any instrument. So long as it can make music and provide a constructive release. This video makes me smile because I can relate to this kid. I don't think I was ever this level of autism. I'm pretty mild. However, the fact remains that this medium is, in my opinion, the most therapeutic and positive way to help these kids with their struggles.

[orianasetzmusic]

Oh my god this is so touching it made me tear up. As a musician wanting to study social work, I find it incredibly motivating and inspiring to connect social change with self expression and arts. I can feel that resounding yes within!

[clareroslington]

So touching Ryan, amazing heartwarming connections in each of your videos I’ve seen, makes me cry. I’d love to be in balance with sound sensitivity, so I can fully enjoy making music with my twins. Thank you 💕

[maggieshhh]

Absolutely your gentle approach encouraging the child and filling up where you find the littlest windows

[Maitimop]

That kid has a good ear. He sings notes in the chords being played most of the time!

[ClaudiaMariaGlamour]

It’s people like you that make the world a better place 🙌 thank you for everything you do you inspire and give hope

[rikilaba]

Hi Ryan my son is 2 and he just got diagnosed in the spectrum few days ago. For how mild i see his symptoms the biggest one is delay in speech. I love music so much and believe so much in what you are doing. I have music on pretty much all my day in some way and my baby loves it too because he basically grew up with it.
For some reason this child reminds me of him so much even if he’s older. I cried so much watching this video, but it wasn’t anger or sadness, it was kind of joy and hope in seeing the connection you created with him.
I play guitar myself and a little harmonica. I would love to help Lorenzo (my baby) even if I am not a professional therapist.. I feel deep that music for him is going to be a huge tool.
I just don’t want to do wrong things and make things worse somehow if that even a possibility. How do you I can approach . Lorenzo should be bilingual . I speak to him in Italian and my wife in English but I don’t know if I should sing in Italian to him or any song is ok and sound is what really matters.
Thank you again for your value and time.

[mcglitter]

This reminds me why I love music at the first place. Music is unite us and a very good communication media. Wish you all the best of luck!

[victoriastorm]

What a great example of MT clinical improv and connection! Thanks Ryan for posting, and to Kyle for letting us watch and listen.

[wisdomtoknowthedifference]

Watching this while feeling sad changes everything. I see things clearly better and feel a lot hopeful that everything will be okay in the end. That's how your interactions with the kids in the video made me feel or your work in general. Thank you in behalf of the children you have helped.

[VRFlightSimGuy]

Excellent! I did my dissertation on the use of improvised songs in music therapy and it's potency when using both free associated words with improvisation. Take care.

[lezaboyland]

Beautiful to watch the opening up of a child, and the sensitivity required to do that!

[bobbimorris]

I love your videos. I'm a music teacher in the public school and have been asked to teach a music class for students with autism. I do not have a music therapy degree. I've been watching everything I can and reading up on my kids. I want to be able to make their musical experience personal and enjoyable. Do you have more videos?

[holyableworshipper]

I will be happy to hear from you thanks

[glitterjuju]

You definitely have a gift from God!
I wish that you could work with my autistic son.
He has hard time with transition .
Do you have any song that could help him on this issue?
May God bless you with good health and wisdom, so you can help those adorable kids for a long time:)

[daisygene]

Wow... great work you are doing! I love when he tells you, "Ryan, it's time to stop now", at the end.

[arnidafayebasug]

This video is very wonderful! It inspires me to pursue taking music therapy. I am currently a music education student in the philippines. I can relate the struggles on what an autistic people go through in their lives because my loved one has autism and so is my cousin. And its very heart warming because whenever my cousin is at my house ill just play the violin, piano or the banduria and he will come near to me and smile :) this will help me in the future to help

[eaglecaulhealing]

Magnificent music truly unites everyone 🙌💓

[Khuff]

This is such a beautiful video. It brought tears to my eyes to see the love and light in both yours and the child's eyes. Respect

[HiThereImFootloose]

you’re doing a good thing, and you’re good at doing it :)