Umairah Bte Abdullah, Group A

I chose the article “Integrating Music Therapy Services and Speech-Language Therapy Services for Children with Severe Communication Impairments: A Co-Treatment Model”. I find that the integration of music into speech therapy very interesting and I feel that it would benefit Annie. The article has succinct information on how music can strengthen one’s speech and it has also proven that the child in the case study has shown improvements as the study progresses. The child in the case study showed more interest and behaviors showing that he is uninterested with the lesson decreased. On top of that, based on one of the evaluations done, where pre-service teachers was asked to choose which video showed that the child was being more involved in the activity, all of them chose the post-treatment video. This further proves that this intervention has positive impacts on the child.

Similar to Annie, the child in the case study has difficulties in interacting with his friends. However, when the case study was carried out, some of the activities are done 1:1 and others are done with his peers. On top of that, both children have difficulties with their speech because of physical deformities. Therefore, I feel that this intervention can be applied for Annie’s case and she will benefit from this integration of music into speech therapy. Firstly, Annie is performing up to standards academically and she only receives therapy from an external source. From this, I gather that she needs more emphasis on her therapy and according to the chosen intervention; it can be done through musical activities in class. Apart from having difficulties with her speech, Annie also has difficulties with social interactions among her peers. This is mainly because of her facial deformities which resulted in her being teased by her classmates. From this situation, I assumed that Annie bites her classmate out of the frustration of constantly being mocked at. Therefore, I feel that with this intervention, there can be an opportunity where the classmates will be involved in the activity together with Annie, and they will have a greater understanding of her situation.

First and foremost, I feel that it is important to raise awareness of Annie’s condition to her peers prior to the intervention. I would use appropriate management techniques such as raising awareness of Annie’s condition to her classmates positively. I would ensure that there will not be anymore teasing and would introduce ways where the classmates can work together to help Annie excel further. With musical activities like singing songs, there are repetitive words and at one go, Annie will be able to repeat the same words a number of time. From this, I would definitely carry out music activities that would allow for such opportunities and experiences. I would plan my lessons around musical activities that can benefit Annie. Furthermore, musical activities can be done in groups and this will allow for Annie and her peers to work together thus improving their relationship. Therefore, to me, it is most important to first break the barrier between Annie and her peers through activities and positive reinforcements as I feel that her social and behavioral problems are effects of the relationship she has with them.

Reference:

Geist, K., McCarthy, J., Rodgers-Smith, A. & Porter, J. (2008). Integrating Music Therapy Services and Speech-Language Therapy Services for Children with Severe Communication Impairments: A Co-Treatment Model.

Retrieved on September 4, 2009, from

http://web.ebscohost.com.libwww3.np.edu.sg/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=104&sid= b72fd286-4de8-4129-b43e- 4ebbf37d5d26%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d #db=aph&AN=36182179#db=aph&AN=36182179