The Effectiveness of Music Therapy and Speech Therapy Collaboration in Special Schools in Kenya

Abstract

Children with special needs face: delayed language, difficulty making eye contact, disturbed social interaction, problems with pragmatic language and poor comprehension leading to poor communication skills which include both receptive and expressive skills. Impairment of ability and skill in communication can affect negatively the quality and quantity of social interactions with adults and peers. Likewise, improvement in communication abilities and skills may have a correlation, or relational effect on social skills and quality of life. This therefore calls for a lot of intervention/ therapy strategies to beput in place for teaching communication skills to children with special needs without forgetting the emerging therapy approaches which include Music therapy. Music as therapy strategy has helped to improve communication deficits and stimulate nonverbal communication through shared play, turntaking, listening and responding to another person.It alsohas a unique ability to evoke memories the moment we hear it. Humans think in terms of pattern, repetition and connection and what is involvedin the music structure, hence, singing simple phrases with lots of repetition encourage imitation of words that promotes language development. Vocal warm up and activities in reference to posture, breath control and articulation support individuals with weak articulatory muscles and posture for effective communication. Dancing on the other hand help to stimulate sensory system hence enhances fine motor skills. Speech therapy helps individuals with communication disorders to develop language whereas Music therapy specifically promotes development and strengthens language, communication and social skills through engaging music intervention.