speech and music therapy

The Role of Music in Speech Therapy

For more than 50 years, music has been an integral element of routine care for children with speech impediments and hearing impairments. A great deal of research has been done that examines the role of music in an individual’s general health, as well as how music can be an effective intervention when it comes to speech and language challenges. So, it would only make sense that for both children and adults who struggle with communication issues, music should be considered an important part of their intervention and therapy plan.

Speech therapists use a wide variety of approaches, methods, and activities in their sessions, and each treatment plan is unique and focuses on the specific goals, needs, and strengths of each individual. If you think your child might benefit from speech therapy, you can learn more by scheduling your free introductory call today!

The Connection Between Music and Communication

Language and music are very closely connected at a fundamental level, as both require greater brain function and also involve cognitive skills, including attention, memory, and categorization. Music and grammar also use structures that must follow a particular order to make sense and appreciate it.

In addition, music and speech require a similar pitch. Musical sequences typically follow specific intervals, and speech also requires various frequencies when it comes to intonation, such as when a question is asked or a statement or exclamation is made. This element of speech is often referred to as ‘contour,’ and it is one that even young babies can detect.

How Does Music Therapy Help Communication Skills?

Music can have many benefits when it comes to improving communication skills. Both speech and singing require the coordination of the same mechanisms within the body. In order to speak or sing effectively, the following processes must function:

Respiration – Breathing Resonance – How airflow is shaped through the nasal and oral cavities Phonation – Initiating sound Articulation – Using the teeth and tongue to produce specific speech sounds Fluency – The ability to produce speech sounds easily and smoothly

By using a variety of interventions that involve singing as well as instrument play, music therapy can help to strengthen these processes to improve overall communication skills. If you want to learn more about the role of music in speech therapy, schedule your free introductory call today!

Can Music Facilitate Speech Recovery and Ease Pain?

The use of music in therapy is an evidence-based practice that uses music to address the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social needs of individuals of all ages. It is beneficial in various settings, such as hospitals and hospices. Music therapy has been proven to be helpful in reducing pain levels, promoting relaxation, improving communication skills, and providing comfort during challenging times.

One way music in therapy can be effective at reducing pain is through the use of rhythmical breathing exercises. These exercises involve focusing on a rhythm while taking slow, deep breaths, promoting relaxation of the body and mind. This type of approach has been shown to lower the heart rate and blood pressure, as well as decrease anxiety levels, all of which can lead to a reduction in overall pain levels.

An additional benefit of music in therapeutic settings is its ability to promote relaxation by providing a pleasant distraction from stressful feelings or thoughts.

Listening to relaxing music and creating a sense of peace and tranquility allows for more effective coping methods when dealing with challenging emotions or situations. In addition, some studies have suggested that specific types of musical interventions can have an analgesic effect because of their ability to activate the release of endorphins in the brain, which function as natural pain relievers.

How Does Music Help with Speech Therapy?

There are so many ways that music can be a beneficial part of speech therapy. The simplest way is through basic auditory stimulation. Music can expand the ability of the brain to process information. This can be beneficial in areas including behavior, skill development, sensory integration, and general coordination. Therefore, individuals who routinely listen to music can improve their speaking abilities as well as their capacity for focus. Auditory stimulation can work just as well during virtual speech therapy sessions as in-person ones.

Adults with speech problems caused by stroke or other forms of traumatic brain injury may benefit from Melodic Intonation Therapy. This is a form of therapy that is often used in situations in which the brain is damaged. This practice is rooted in the theory that using the unaffected hemisphere of the brain will help to gradually recover speech skills that have been lost in the damaged part of the brain. For instance, if an individual loses their ability to speak due to damage to the left side of the brain, MIT can be used to establish new ways to communicate. This type of therapy uses words and phrases that are supplemented by melodies, making the process of speaking closely resemble that of singing. MIT also takes advantage of the individual’s ability to sing, which in turn helps them improve their ability to speak.

For children, there are many different ways that speech therapists use music in their treatment sessions. The goal of using music in speech therapy is to help promote their language development, improve and ease their speech production, and support their overall communication skills. A recent study showed that children displayed significant improvement in their problem-solving skills, social skills, and how they interacted with others when music was a part of their speech therapy treatment plans.

Speech therapy can benefit individuals of all ages with a wide range of skills and challenges. If you would like to learn more about virtual speech therapy, get started by scheduling your free introductory call today!

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Kids Music and Speech Therapy

Stacie bennett.

Speech-Language Pathologist , Trenton , New Jersey

Feb 1, 2022 The effects of music and its benefits have been studied for quite a long time.

Music engages a wide range of processing mechanisms, from sound encoding (deciphering a trumpet from a flute) to higher cognitive functions such as sequencing, attention, memory , and learning. This is even more true if you are learning to play an instrument. 

Due to the level of cognition needed to play music, musicians have long been researched to study  brain plasticity as well as for investigating the intriguing possibility that musical knowledge transfers to other domains, such as language.

Can You Use Music in Speech Therapy?

Yes, you can! Since there has been so much research showing the positive correlation between using music in speech therapy sessions, many speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have been teaming up with music teachers or musicians in order to create treatment plans for their patients. 

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Whether it’s a collaboration between the two therapists in a therapy session or just the speech pathologist leading the session, when kids music is used in speech therapy, it can have a significant impact on people who suffer with speech and language disorders ( The ASHA Leader , 2012, Introduction paragraph and “Where is Music Therapy Headed” paragraph).

Speech therapy and music therapy have a lot in common. The ASHA Leader discusses how music therapists and speech therapists work with a lot of the same types of patients. Both music therapists and speech therapists work with people who suffer from developmental disabilities and hearing impairments. This specific ASHA article, “In Harmony” (2012) in The ASHA Leader , goes on to say that:

Research indicates that there are some shared neural networks between speech and music. The ASHA Leader , 2012, “What is Music Therapy”

Music therapy is not for everyone, however. Some patients can find it distracting or frustrating (e.g a patient who suffered a stroke). It’s important to gauge the reaction of the individual to see if it’s beneficial!

How to Use Music?

Kids music can be used in a variety of ways during a treatment session. You can have it playing as background music, have a client sing along to the song or you can have a child make up their own lyrics in order to work on vocabulary and grammar. 

In many cases, music has improved a patient’s motivation, attitude, and performance in his or her speech-language therapy ( The ASHA Leader , 2012). We can’t argue that music typically gives a feeling or emotion. Think of what you do when you hear your favorite song or if a song plays on the radio that you truly dislike. It evokes a reaction of some kind. 

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Case Study: Kids Songs and Therapy

I read about a case study that talked about a 4 year old boy, named Allen, who received speech-language therapy for his numerous health issues. Allen was unable to communicate like a child should for his age. Instead, Allen would use gestures to get peoples’ attention and to request actions (Geist et al., 2008, p. 313). 

According to this article, he had trouble understanding words and commands and could not communicate words or sentences clearly (Geist et al., 2008, p. 313). In addition, Allen would not participate in activities with other kids his age or try to communicate with them.

Allen was not engaged or interested in his speech and language therapy, however, he WAS interested in the music in his music therapy sessions.

The results of Allen’s music therapy indicated that social interaction increased in a 1:1 setting when using music as reinforcement. Geist et al., 2008, p. 313

This means he didn’t rely on gesturing to communicate; words were primarily used! Allen’s previous behavior decreased as his therapy involved music. 

In Allen’s case, the collaboration between speech-language therapy and music therapy was successful.

The Takeaway

So what’s the takeaway from all of the research and statistics? 

Basically, if your child loves music, it is worth a shot integrating it into the therapy session.

 If they seem bored or disinterested in regular speech therapy, play music in the next session and see if it makes a difference! Each child is unique and won’t react the same way! However, if music works, then use it!

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The author’s views are entirely his or her own and may not necessarily reflect the views of Blub Blub Inc. All content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgement, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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Music Therapy

Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

Music therapy is a form of treatment that uses music within the therapeutic relationship to help accomplish the patient’s individualized goals . This evidence-based approach involves techniques such as listening to, reflecting on, and creating music under the guidance of a trained music therapist.

It’s not necessary to have a musical background to benefit from music therapy. People of all ages, from children to adults, may find it is a good fit for their therapeutic needs.

• When It's Used
• How It Works
• What to Expect
• What to Look for in a Music Therapist

Music therapy is often practiced one-on-one, but it can also be used in group settings, such as a hospital, correctional facility, or nursing home. It is generally most effective when used in combination with other therapies and or medications.

Music therapy can help people manage physical pain and has proven effective in treating a variety of health conditions, including cardiac complications, cancer, diabetes, and dementia . It can help:

• Lower heart rate and blood pressure
• Reduce stress
• Improve sleep
• Boost memory and cognitive function

Music can also have powerful effects on a person’s psychological health. It can influence anyone’s mood, causing a range of effects from providing comfort to soothing physical pain to boosting energy. Studies have shown that music therapy can be particularly helpful for people who have an autism spectrum disorder or depression .

Other psychological benefits of music therapy include:

• Lifting one’s mood
• Increasing joy and awe
• Reducing anxiety
• Alleviating depression
• Regulating emotions, particularly difficult ones
• Facilitating self-reflection
• Assisting in the processing of trauma

Humans have long appreciated the healing and cathartic power of music. Music taps into a primal sense of rhythm that we all possess. But modern music therapy began after World War II, according to the American Music Therapy Association. When community musicians visited hospitals to perform for veterans, the soldiers seemed to improve both physically and emotionally, eventually prompting the institutions to hire professionals for the job.

Music therapy continues to be practiced in hospitals, adding a therapeutic layer for patients hospitalized by illness or injury. It can help patients cope with emotional trauma and physical pain or feel more confident, joyful, and connected. Outside of a clinical setting, people can still enjoy these benefits, as music can stir emotion , prompt discussion, facilitate expression, and lower stress .

That power still holds when dementia or brain damage strikes. Music is processed and produced through a different pathway than verbal speech; bypassing that pathway allows patients to express themselves, communicate with loved ones, and experience the world more vibrantly.

After an initial assessment, a therapist will tailor techniques to fit a client's musical ability, interests, and specific needs. One approach is to create music—humming a nostalgic tune from one’s childhood , singing as part of a choir, or improvising on instruments such as the drums, piano, guitar, or chimes.

If the client is able to discuss the experience, a therapist might ask what memories the sounds provoke or what they’re feeling. The pair might listen to a song together and discuss the emotions and memories the song elicits. Or the client might write a song, which can illuminate a character or conflict in their lives or provide a cathartic release. The therapist could engage the client in breathing exercises, with or without music, to release tension and calm anxiety.

All of these exercises allow the therapist and client to explore the psychological, familial, social, cultural, and spiritual components of the person’s inner world. And clients don’t need to have any musical training or talent; the practice doesn’t focus on technical skills but employs music as a tool for reflection and communication.

While music therapy may not be a helpful approach for everyone, many people have found it beneficial. Start by looking for a board-certified music therapist. In the U.S., the certification process requires therapists to complete an undergraduate or master’s degree in music therapy at an approved institution, along with clinical training and a supervised internship. Therapists then must complete a board certification test. The Certification Board for Music Therapists grants practitioners the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified).

Seeking out a therapist with whom the client feels a connection is also valuable. Creating a strong foundation of trust and appreciation can help an individual embrace the process and find success in therapy.

You may want to ask the music therapist a few questions before getting started:

• How would they help with your particular concerns?
• Have they dealt with this type of problem before?
• What is their process?
• What is their timeline for treatment?
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6 Songs For Speech Therapy

Music is an excellent source of speech therapy. Image source: loogguitars.com

Do you have a little Stevie Wonder on your hands? Lady Gaga? Do you hear singing at all hours of the day? If so, you know that singing and songs are a significant part of your child’s life. In fact, many children sing more than they talk! Through singing and song, children can actually achieve improved articulation skills, just from belting it out. Even simple children’s nursery rhymes can help develop pronunciation and articulation skills. For children who need any type of speech and language therapy, music is essential. It is motivating, familiar, rhythmic, stimulates a variety of senses and most of all – FUN!

Music as Speech Therapy

Music as speech therapy is often used in early intervention of a speech impediment or disorder. “The Wheels on the Bus,” “Row Row Row your Boat” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” are staples of an SLP’s repertoire. While research has proven that music is an effective speech therapy tool in the later years among people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, music is also essential to our younger generation’s growth and development.  What songs can you play at home to help encourage proper speech for your children?  Here are a few of our favorites!

6 Songs for Speech Therapy

Even Congresswoman Gabby Giffords credited music therapy as one of the primary reasons that she was able to relearn how to talk.  According to  Dr. Oliver Sacks , professor of Neurology at Columbia University and author or the book, Musicophilia , “Nothing activates the brain so extensively as music.”

What are some of your favorite songs? Add your suggestions to our repertoire!