NMTSA - Community Education

Community Education

Part of NMTSA's mission is to provide community education and training related to positive behavioral and communication supports for persons with autism and other neurologic impairments. Take advantage of one of our courses below to learn more about resources we have available to the community.

In 2011, these education programs
are graciously sponsored by the
John C. Lincoln Foundation.

NMTSA: Philosophy and Practice
Next Date Offered: February 11, 2012 - 9am-1pm -click here to sign up online-
Cost: Free of charge thanks to a grant from Phoenix Suns Charities
Overview: Formerly called the NMT Parent Training, this course provides an overview of what Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is, how it is implemented into the services offered at NMTSA, and the positive effect it can have on individuals with developmental disabilities and neurologic impairments.

[more]

We will discuss the research behind NMT and the training that is required of NMT therapists. Ample time is given to a question and answer session where participants can ask questions specific to their needs and experience. Families and caregivers of current NMTSA clients will come away with a better understanding of the services being provided and will be able to more successfully support and continue the positive changes NMT is producing when in the home environment.

Instructor: Suzanne Oliver, MT-BC, NMT Fellow - Suzanne is the founder and Executive Director of NMTSA and has been a practicing music therapist since 1982. She has been on the forefront of developing strategies for using NMT techniques to successfully treat individuals with neurologic impairments and is responsible for NMTSA's evidence-based philosophy of treatment and competency-based approach to working with clients.

Facilitated Communication Training (Levels 1 and 2)
Next Date Offered:
Training Level 1 - March 3, 2012 -click here to sign up online-
Training Level 2 - TBA
Cost: Free of charge thanks to a grant from Phoenix Suns Charities

Overview: These courses are for parents and other interested persons who would like to begin utilizing facilitation with someone they know and, in level 2, to learn advanced techniques for successful facilitation.

[more]

These trainings are based on the techniques researched and taught at the Facilitated Communication Institute at Syracuse University and will include hands-on practice as well as time for questions and trouble-shooting participants' specific communication situations. Topics include the neurologic basis behind facilitation and instruction on proper techniques. Support materials are provided to aid in understanding facilitation and explaining it to others. (Note: To participate in Training Level 2, participants are required to have attended Training Level 1)

Instructors: NMTSA’s Executive Director, Suzanne Oliver, MT-BC, NMT Fellow, has been utilizing facilitation through typing as a competency-based means of communication with persons on her caseload over 25 years. Suzanne was originally trained in Phoenix, by staff from the Syracuse Facilitated Communication Institute in 1991, 2005, and again in 2007, was an active member and co-leader of the FC Support Group in Phoenix, and has provided facilitation trainings to individual parents, educational programs, and groups for several years. Jenna Anderson, MT-BC, NMT Fellow, is the current Clinical Coordinator at NMTSA. She has been utilizing facilitation communication for the past three years and was trained at the Syracuse Facilitated Communication Institute in 2007. Jenna currently oversees the FC Communication Groups at NMTSA.

Drum Home Program Trainings
Next Date Offered:
February 13, 2012 - 6:30-8:30pm
March 13, 2012 - 6:30-8:30pm
April 24, 2012 - 6:30-8:30pm

Cost: This training experience is being offered free of charge to NMTSA families as a first time offering.

Overview: This course is designed for those persons (parents, caregivers) who have taken an NMTSA Philosophy and Practice Training and have been directed by their child’s therapist to begin a home drum program.

[more]

Training components will include the following:
-Explanation of home program purpose
-Review of theoretical foundation and basic research related to program implementation
-Practice of physical skills necessary to implement program
-Discussion of materials required to successfully implement program

Instructors: NMTSA’s Founder and Executive Director, Suzanne Oliver, MT-BC, NMT Fellow, has been assisting families and caregivers in the implementation of these unique home drum programs since 2005. As one of NMTSA’s primary trainers, Suzanne is able to assist families in identifying specific issues they may run into when implementing the programs and is able to assess self-accommodations for program implementers. Suzanne intermittently travels around the United States assisting families in developing programs and then provides periodic follow up via Skype.