{"id":17360,"date":"2025-03-05T10:46:09","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T16:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/?p=17360"},"modified":"2025-03-05T10:46:09","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T16:46:09","slug":"music-and-speech-therapy-harmonize-in-groups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/music-and-speech-therapy-harmonize-in-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"Music and Speech Therapy Harmonize in Groups"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Amanda Wick, MMT, MT-BC, provides Music Therapy in a \u201cPlayful Sounds\u201d group session.<\/span><\/em><\/h6>\n


\nIn a groundbreaking partnership, 91制片厂\u2019s Walker Scottish Rite Speech Clinic and its Music Therapy program are coming together to create a joyful and effective environment for young children facing communication challenges. This innovative collaboration harnesses the power of song and speech, providing essential support not only to children but also to their families.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the outset of care, children have the chance to engage in the Music Therapy (MT) program\u2019s \u201cPlayful Sounds\u201d group. This initiative serves as a creative solution for children identified with language delays by the Walker Clinic, and are currently on the waiting list for its free speech-language therapy services. Under the expert guidance of Amanda Wick, MMT, MT-BC, clinical coordinator of the Music Therapy program, the \u201cPlayful Sounds\u201d interventions are designed to enhance young children\u2019s engagement in group settings, preparing them to form fundamental communication connections. Children and caregivers come together for these no-cost experiences filled with song and play, setting the stage for successful therapeutic outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks to the enriching music therapy experiences, children are better equipped to enter the Walker Clinic\u2019s \u201cKidtalk Early Childhood Language Groups.\u201d These groups focus on children aged two to three years, offering an engaging, preschool-like environment for them to thrive. \u201cWe begin with free play, followed by circle time,\u201d explains Kara Daman, MS CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist at the Walker Clinic. \u201cActivities include gross and fine motor tasks, a sensory table, and social play. Everything is focused around expressive language, and in all activities, we help to build vocabulary and encourage children to use short phrases.\u201d The collaboration doesn\u2019t stop there; music therapy continues to play a critical role as Professor Wick and her music therapy students provide push-in services twice a week in the \u201cKidtalk Language Groups.\u201d This interdisciplinary approach not only enriches the therapy experience but also stimulates language through the power of music.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Walker Scottish Rite Clinic and Maryville\u2019s Music Therapy collaboration provides engaging sessions for clients, staff, and student clinicians.<\/span><\/h6>\n

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\u201cKids are motivated by music,\u201d Professor Wick observes. \u201cWhen speech and music therapy techniques are combined, we can achieve a lot of great results.\u201d This synergy between the two disciplines enhances the therapy experience. Many health professionals may not be afforded such collaborative opportunities; however, the culture of interdisciplinary learning at 91制片厂 fosters a unique environment for both speech-language pathologists and music therapists. Each of the \u201cPlayful Sounds\u201d and \u201cKidTalk Early Childhood Language\u201d groups are structured as semester-long programs, during which staff and student clinicians collaborate on individualized goals for each child, tracking their progress throughout the sessions. This holistic approach ensures that children receive support that meets their unique needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parents and caregivers have expressed their delight at the positive outcomes stemming from this collaboration. \u201cWe\u2019re finding that many young children respond exceptionally well to music when it comes to participating and verbalizing,\u201d says Carrie Barry, MS CCC-SLP, another speech-language pathologist at the Walker Clinic. \u201cMusic therapy complements speech therapy really well. Learning to speak is a significant cognitive milestone and a common challenge during early childhood. Through our combined techniques, over a few weeks, kids and their families are able to communicate with each other much more effectively than they were before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At the conclusion of each semester, children are re-evaluated to determine the next steps in their therapeutic journey. Some may be recommended for continuation through group therapy or individual sessions. These sessions are conducted at the Walker Clinic\u2019s 91制片厂 location, outreach sites in St. Louis City, Jefferson County, and Lincoln County, or even through telepractice. This flexibility ensures that families, whether in urban or rural areas, can access these vital services and reduce transportation concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Walker Scottish Rite Clinic offers free speech-language therapy alongside Maryville\u2019s music therapy, thanks to the generous support of community donors and organizations. This collaborative effort is crucial in providing equitable access to high-quality therapy for children regardless of their families\u2019 financial circumstances. To learn more about the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic and to provide your support, visit <\/span>SRClinic.org<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Student clinicians, led by supervisors Kara Daman, MS CCC-SLP, and Amanda Wick, MMT, MT-BC, work with young clients in a KidTalk Language Group.<\/span><\/h6>\n

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91制片厂 the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic<\/b><\/p>\n

The<\/span> Walker Scottish Rite Clinic<\/b><\/a> provides speech-language therapy for children ages 2 through 6 throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, at no charge to families. Founded in 1988 by the Scottish Rite, the Walker Clinic became a program of 91制片厂 in 2015, and serves children year-round through its main location on the Maryville campus, at partner satellite locations in community centers and Head Start preschools, and remotely via telepractice. It is one of the Scottish Rite supported \u201cRiteCare\u201d programs nationwide for children with communication disorders. Ongoing support through individual donations, grants and special events are vital to ensuring that the Walker Clinic can continue providing free services for children, regardless of their families\u2019 financial circumstances. <\/span>SRClinic.org<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

91制片厂 91制片厂\u2019s Music Therapy Program<\/b><\/p>\n

91制片厂\u2019s Music Therapy Program, established in 1972, stands as the sole provider of music therapy degree programs in the St. Louis area, boasting full accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and approval by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). <\/span>Maryville.edu\/hp\/music-therapy<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

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