Music is NeuroDiverse
This course will highlight the benefits of engaging in music during adolescence as part of personal and neurological development.
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Neurodiversity and Music
This course will highlight the benefits of using music to facilitate neurodivergent learning.
Why this course is important
Music can facilitate learning for everyone, regardless of differences in cognitive abilities. Regardless of how each person is ‘wired’ we are all wired for music.It is commonly accepted that all young children will learn the alphabet through a song, yet we fail to continue the use of music for learning beyond the kindergarten years. Neuroscience has provided evidence for the value of music to assist with cognition as well as emotion regulation, two very important aspects for learning in general, and for the classroom. It is particularly important to recognize that the ability to engage and respond to music is often heightened in individuals who are neurodivergent, making learning through music an excellent tool for all students in the classroom. It is important for parents, teachers and health care workers who engage with neurodivergent individuals to be aware of how to use music to best facilitate learning.
Six Key Topic Areas to be unpacked:
- General role of music in learning.
- What does neurodivergent mean?
- Music & Cognition
- Music & Emotion Regulation
- Music & Community
- Practical Tips to use music for learning
This course is relevant to anyone who engages with individuals who are neurodivergent at school, home, or in the workplace, ie., parents/caregivers, teachers, recreation therapists etc.
After this course, you will have a general understanding of the following concepts:
- The neuroscience of music and learning
- The universality of music for learning
- The use of music for neurodivergent learning
Your Instructor
Rachael has been recognized as a music therapist since 2001. She has worked in hospitals, long term care facilities, and a private studio, initiating over 30 new music therapy programs throughout the GTA. Rachael served as the president of the Music Therapy Association of Ontario from 2010-2014 and was the recipient of the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, for Healthcare in 2015. An advocate for educating people about music therapy, she brought 2 music therapy courses to McMaster University in 2010, currently educating over 2000 students each academic year about music therapy. To provide further education to the community and healthcare professionals the Music Therapy Academy was launched in 2016.