WHO WE SERVE
Select a neurologic condition for more information.
Autism
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by difficulties with communication, motor control, sensory processing, and social interaction. Autism causes the brain to develop connections differently, which affects the way it processes and organizes information. These neurological differences affect the way an individual with autism moves, communicates, and interacts, which limits independence, impairs relationships, and decreases the ability to demonstrate competence.
OUR APPROACH
Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT)® is a research-based treatment system that uses music and rhythm to change the way the brain functions. While each person with autism is unique and treatment is individualized, there are some common techniques.
For example, movement paired with rhythm can help develop new sensory and motor brain connections, which improves body awareness and motor control, as well as eliminating nonfunctional motor behaviors. Singing, instrument playing, and other verbal/vocal exercises are often used to develop speech, language, and communication skills.
By addressing autism at the brain level, NMT can positively affect the skills and abilities a person with autism needs to be independent, to meaningfully relate to others, and to truly demonstrate their competence.
Cerebral Palsy
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a movement disorder characterized by abnormal muscle tone, motor movement, and coordination. CP is generally caused by underdevelopment or trauma caused to the brain and its connections, which changes the way the brain functions. These neurological differences affect the way an individual with CP moves, communicates, and interacts, which decreases independence, hinders relationships, and limits the ability to demonstrate true competence.
OUR APPROACH
Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is a research-based treatment system that uses music and rhythm to change the way the brain functions. NMT treatment is individualized, however, there are some common techniques.
For example, participating in movement exercises that are paired with rhythm can help a person with CP develop better movement patterns and build strength and endurance for better movement quality. Singing, instrument playing, and other exercises are often used to develop speech, language, and other communication abilities.
Because the brain is changeable, addressing CP at the brain level with NMT can positively affect the outcomes a person with CP needs to be independent, to functionally relate to others, and to exhibit their true abilities.
Down Syndrome
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder characterized by low muscle tone, motor delays, and speech/language difficulties. Down Syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome, which in turn alters physical and neurological development associated with that chromosome. These neurological differences alter the way a person with Down Syndrome moves, communicates, and relates to others, which limits independence, impairs relationship, and decreases their ability to demonstrate competence.
OUR APPROACH
Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is a research-based treatment system that uses music and rhythm to change the way the brain functions. While every individual with Down Syndrome is unique and treatment is individualized, there are some common techniques.
For example, movement exercises that are paired with rhythm can help a person with Down Syndrome develop more functional motor movement, muscle tone, strength, and endurance for better quality movement. Vocal exercises are often used to develop speech, articulation, language skills, and communication skills.
Because the brain is malleable, addressing Down Syndrome at the neurological level, with NMT, can impact a person with Down Syndrome to help them be more independent, to meaningfully relate to other people, and to realize their true potential.
Parkinson's Disease
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system characterized by impaired motor and speech skills. PD is caused by altered levels of a specific neurotransmitter (dopamine) in the brain, which decreases the amount of information that is sent to the motor areas of the brain, which in turn results in the motor differences seen in this disease. These neurological differences affect the way an individual with PD moves, communicates, and interacts, which limits overall independence, impairs relationships with others, and decreases functional skill performance in every day living.
OUR APPROACH
Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is a research-based treatment system that uses music and rhythm to change the way the brain functions. While each person with PD is unique and treatment is individualized, there are some common, evidence-based techniques.
For example, gait training with rhythm can be used to develop/maintain more functional walking patterns, increased stability, etc. Singing and other vocal exercises can help develop and maintain quality and functionality of speech.
Because PD originates in the brain, addressing the symptoms of PD at the neurological level most effectively addresses these needs, resulting in maintained independence and relationship.
Neurologic Injuries
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Neurologic injuries encompass any type of injury experienced by a previously functioning brain and nervous system. These injuries can be from external causes, such as in traumatic brain injury, or from internal causes, such as in stroke, aneurism, and anoxic injuries. When brain structures are deprived of normal blood and oxygen flow, they lose function which results in the loss or impairment of various motor, speech, and cognitive functions.
OUR APPROACH
Neurologic Music Therapy is a research-based treatment system that uses music and rhythm to change the way the brain functions. While every individual with a neurologic injury is unique and treatment is individualized, there are some common techniques.
For example, gait training with rhythm can be used to retrain functional walking patterns, increase stability, etc. Singing and other vocal exercises can be utilized to improve lost or impaired speech and language functions. Participation in music exercises can address issues related to cognitive functions such as attention, memory, processing, problem-solving, etc.
Because neurologic injuries directly impact the brain, addressing them at a neurologic level is the most effective way to impact change related to the needs related to these injuries.
Genetic Disorders
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Genetic disorders are caused by abnormalities related to the genome, most often from birth, and affecting functions related to the specific gene(s) involved. These disorders are often rare and result in a very broad range of physiological and functional impairments. Many of these disorders can impact brain and nervous system development and/or result in a variety of developmental delays/deficits, thus limiting abilities to move, speak, process information, interact with others, etc., which limits independence and often the ability to demonstrate true competence.
OUR APPROACH
Neurologic Music Therapy is a research-based treatment system that uses music and rhythm to change the way the brain functions. While every individual with a genetic disorder is unique and treatment is individualized, there are some common techniques.
For example, movement paired with rhythm can help develop new sensory and motor brain connections, improving body awareness, sensory processing, and motor control. Singing, instrument playing, and other verbal/vocal exercises can impact changes related to speech, language, and communication.
By addressing genetic disorders and the corresponding impairments related to them at the neurologic level, NMT can positively affect the skills and abilities of a person with a genetic disorder, resulting in increased independence, meaningful relationships, and the ability to function at their true potential.
Alzheimer's / Dementia
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are degenerative disorders of the brain and nervous system characterized by the deterioration of memory and other cognitive functions. These progressive losses affect the way an individual communicates, interacts, understands, processes, and experiences daily life, which limits independent functioning as well as impairs relationships with others.
OUR APPROACH
Neurologic Music Therapy is a research-based treatment system that uses music and rhythm to change the way the brain functions. While every individual with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is unique and treatment is individualized, there are some common techniques.
For example, engaging in familiar music can be used to access memories that are otherwise cut off or limited. Singing and other vocal exercises can be used to maintain and/or slow the deterioration of speech and language functions. Engaging in music with peers or loved ones can support social and emotional connections with others that are often lost by providing an avenue through which relationship can take place.
Because Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are disorders of the brain and nervous system, addressing the symptoms of these disorders at the neurologic level most effectively impacts the needs associated with them, resulting in maintained independence and relationship.
See video below for more information about how Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) can change the way the brain functions and address neurologic impairments due to aging.
In this video excerpt from a September 13, 2012, segment of The Doctors TV that featured Music & Memory, host Dr. Travis Stork explains how the brain processes music and Dr. Laura Mosqueda, Director of Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, explains what happens to the brain when affected by Alzheimer's/Dementia and why musical memories are preserved: