INCORPORATING AAC DEVICES WITHIN MUSIC THERAPY SESSIONS Megan Zerbe, MA, LPMT, MT-BC J. Brock Tarno, Ed.S

Greeting song

INTRODUCTIONS ▪Megan Zerbe, MA, LPMT, MT-BC – B.S. from Elizabethtown College in Music Therapy – M.A. in Teaching for Special Education Adapted Curriculum from Valdosta State University – Board certified music therapist – Licensed to practice in state of GA – Practicing MT for 12 years – 8 years as an MT for CCPS in public education. ▪J. Brock Tarno, Ed.S – M.A. in Teaching for Special Education Adapted Curriculum from Valdosta State University – Ed.S from Valdosta State University in Special Education – Low Incidence/Autism Specialist for CCPS – 3 years classroom experience at the elementary level and 4 years classroom experience at the middle school level in special education.

OBJECTIVES ▪Basic understanding of what music therapy is and how music therapists utilize AAC devices as well as how music therapists can help a student learn how to use their AAC device. ▪Difference between Music Therapy and Music Education ▪Differences between classroom music time and music therapy ▪How can you use AAC devices during your classroom music time ▪Demonstrations of how to incorporate different functioning levels within your class during one activity, so that all students are engaged appropriately. ▪Resources about music therapy, AAC devices, and music activities you can use in your classrooms.

WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY? “Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” - American Music Therapy Association- Therapeutic Research Based Addresses skill development in following areas Cognitive Behavioral Physical Emotional Social Communication Sensorimotor

MUSIC THERAPY TRAINING AND GOVERNING BODIES

MUSIC THERAPY VS. MUSIC EDUCATION MUSIC THERAPY Uses music to address non-musical goals MUSIC EDUCATION The teaching of music and music concepts

Music Therapy and Special Education Classroom ▪Music therapists can provide direct or consultative services for students based on their needs/goals. ▪Music therapists can support special education classroom teachers by providing effective ways to incorporate music into their academic curriculum ▪Music therapy can adapt strategies to encourage a child’s participation in the least restrictive environment. ▪Music therapy interventions apply the inherent order of music to set behavioral expectations, provide reassurances, and maintain structure for children with special needs ▪Music therapy involvement can stimulate attention and increase motivation to participate more fully in other aspects of the educational setting ▪Music therapy is considered a related service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). - American Music Therapy Association,

Music Therapy Interventions using Low-tech AAC Devices ▪Call and Response Songs ▪Making choices ▪Songwriting interventions ▪Phrase completion songs (one word phrases or short 2-3 word phrases) ▪Sequencing songs ▪Social Awareness Songs ▪Social Interaction Songs/Activities ▪Engage non-verbal students and students with communication deficits as fully as possible within a session for maximum level of independent participation.

GREETING SONG USING BIGmack Greeting being sung to J. J. verbally saying “Hello” J. using BIGmack to reinforce verbal “Hello”

HAPPY FOR MUSIC

CHEAP TALK 4 CHEAP TALK 4 IN-LINECHEAP TALK 4 SQUARE

HAPPY FOR MUSIC Wave your hands, wave your hands up high Wave your hands way up high if you’re happy for music! Shake your shoulders, shake your shoulders with me Shake your shoulders if you’re happy for music! (Refrain) Then sing La La La…LA LA LA La La La…LA LA LA La-La-La…LA-LA-LA Clap your hands, clap your hands with me Clap your hands if you’re happy for music. Wiggle your fingers, wiggle your fingers with me. Wiggle your fingers, if you’re happy for music! REFRAIN Stomp your feet, stomp your feet with me Stomp your feet, if you’re happy for music! Shake your whole body, shake your body with me Shake your whole body, if you’re happy for music! REFRAIN

VARIATIONS/THOUGHTS ON “HAPPY FOR MUSIC” Sequencing of LA LA LA’s Can do as a large group together or as a turn taking activity If a sequence of 4 is too difficult for student, can switch to a BIGmack or LITTLEmack and only program on sequence of LA LA LA’s Tongue thrust is often a speech goal with many of my students. Using the LA in singing aids students to press tongue to back of teeth to make this sound. Easier to do when singing than speaking. Have peer help if possible Encourage participation from everyone, especially on the singing echoes. Ultimate goal, maximum amount of participation from all students to the best of their abilities.

Walking thru the jungle

Twin Talk Provides for 2 option choice Easy buttons to push Large pictures

WALKING THRU THE JUNGLE We are walking thru the jungle Marching to the beat Walking thru the jungle and what do we see??? (student name) sees a (jungle animal) (Students name the animal, make the animal noise or action)

VARIATIONS/THOUGHTS ON “WALKING THRU THE JUNGLE” Used with a twin talk Turn taking and choice making Verbal students use their words and non-verbal can use the twin talk for maximum participation. If too difficult to do a choice, can use a single choice AAC device instead of the twin talk. Adaptation of activity: Have large jungle animal pictures stationed around the room One person plays the drum in marching pattern Students march behind drummer singing song (on a safari) When come to an animal, name the animal

BIGmack/LITTLEmack BIGMack LITTLEmack

Turkey at My Backdoor

TURKEY AT MY BACKDOOR Oh, a turkey knocked at my backdoor And I invited him in! Was a chill November Thursday, and I invited him in! Won’t you come into my kitchen, my friend? I’ll boil some water for tea! Come and sit here in my kitchen, we’ll chat! Have a cookie, maybe two or three! He answered: NO! NO! NO! NO! I won’t come into your kitchen! He said: NO! NO! NO! NO! I’ll see you another day!

USING THE BIGmack IN THE CLASSROOM Song being sung to M. With physical assistance, M. responds M. looks at turkey on BIGmack first.

VARIATIONS/THOUGHTS ON “TURKEY AT MY BACKDOOR” Can program BIGmack to do just a single “NO” or program it to do the sequence of “NO” Done as a whole group or as an individual turn-taking activity where each child has the opportunity to be the TURKEY When done as a turn-taking activity, other students are encouraged to sing a long and do signs or gestures for “won’t you come into my kitchen”. Song can also be acted out by the students. One person is the turkey and the other person is the owner of the house.

Music Therapy and Aiding Individuals in Use of AAC Device Provide song/activities that require repetitive use of device Use songs with directives for use of communication device (eye gaze, reach and touch, make a choice) Start with one-step directives and work way to multiple step directives. Main ScreenSocial Screen Choices Screen Feelings Screen Dynavox Eye Gaze Board

Music Therapy and G.’s Eye Gaze Board GREETING SONG *Locating “Hello” on Board *Stating “Hello” at correct time YES/NO *Locating Yes/No on board *Practicing using eye gaze to activate board TURKEY SONG *Locating NO on board without visual guidance/prompts *Waiting to say “no”

Other Technology in the Classrooms ▪Smart Boards/White Boards ▪iPods/iPhones/Tablets ▪GarageBand or other music editing software ▪iTunes/Google Play/YouTube ▪Bluetooth enabled systems ▪Internet Sites for various classroom needs/projects/manipulatives/visuals

Resources ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Laurie Berkner Band Mark D. Pencil Dr. Jean Feldman The Fresh Beat Band Imagination Movers Kidz Bop    Websites Music selections (CDs/Albums)

No Music Therapist? Certification Board for Music Therapists ( Find a Board Certified Music Therapist Can search by name, certification number, state, and/or country Provides name/certification number/city and state/certification expiration/and original certification date American Music Therapy Association ( Find a Music Therapist Can to obtain Browse online directory using a variety of search parameters Provides list of current AMTA members only

Questions???

Goodbye Song