Individuals with Down syndrome benefit from music therapy to express themselves, share joy with others, and practice skills in a musical framework that motivates action. Areas of personal growth may include enhancing muscle tone, developing effective communication skills, expressing emotions appropriately, fostering strong relationships with caregivers and community members, and cultivating a greater willingness to undertake challenging tasks that may not be personally preferred. Activities such as making music, singing, sharing songs, and moving to music can stimulate development in the areas of cognitive, motor, social/emotional, and communication for individuals with Down syndrome. In both individual music therapy and group music therapy, the structure of rhythm, melody, and lyrics creates a framework for growth.
How Music Therapy Supports Growth and Development for Individuals with Down Syndrome
Cognitive
Music is a framework of notes and rhythm, providing a predictable structure for singing and instrument playing. The predictability and repetition within a song can reveal the passage of time and allow one to anticipate what happens next. When a person with Down syndrome is motivated by music and participates in the song, they may extend their attention to the activity occurring within the experience that musically shows how much longer to expect the activity to last. The framework of the music may be used to plan out actions to take within the song, developing executive functioning skills. Furthermore, music and songs can facilitate recall by pairing concepts or actions with the lyrics. Building memory associated with a song can support activities of daily living to sequence steps of a task or remember phrases to use in situations.
Motor
Rhythm experienced in music is internalized in the body of the listener. Board Certified Music Therapists harness this experience, known as entrainment, to support the development of motor skills. In the brain, the primary motor cortex is located near the music processing center and the area responsible for wakefulness. By matching movement to a rhythm, coordination and balance are developed and enhanced within a motivating musical activity. Movement to music is a motivating way to use muscles, helping to develop, increase, and maintain muscle tone. Studies show that individuals with Down syndrome demonstrate an increase in coordination for spatial awareness, gross motor movement, and fine motor skills by moving or playing instruments to music.
Social/Emotional
Creating and exploring music provides the opportunity to express oneself by playing what feels authentic to the person and relating to the meaning of a song. In individual music therapy, a person with Down syndrome who is motivated by the music can elevate their mood while working on goals. Within groups, group members are given the opportunity to interact socially in an emotionally safe environment. Sharing these interactions can foster relationships with others in the group and support interpersonal relationships with one’s community. Through these experiences, the music therapist will facilitate opportunities to improve relationships, increase self-image, and express emotions or experiences.
Communication
Within a music therapy session, making music provides the opportunity for a conversation in sound between the music therapist and participant(s). Music therapy offers participants multiple modes of communication within lyrics, rhythm, melody, gestures, eye gaze, and movement to the music. Multi-modal music opportunities provide individuals with Down syndrome opportunities to enhance the development of communication skills. The non-verbal qualities of engaging in music allow for a conversation of sound and action, building one’s understanding of reciprocity. There are opportunities for gaining new vocabulary, framing sentence structures in song, and breaking down the pronunciation of words. Within vocal music therapy interventions, oral motor skills are practiced and developed to strengthen the physical element of communication.
Discover the Power of Music Therapy at Roman Music Therapy Services
The joy shared in music is a transformational tool that drives growth and provides opportunities for practicing and developing skills across domains. Music therapy benefits people of all ages with Down syndrome through supporting early intervention, gaining skills throughout development, and maintaining progress while fostering the desire to express oneself.
At Roman Music Therapy Services, we are committed to using music to broaden skillsets and find creative outlets in whatever way you groove. If you or a loved one are seeking a personalized approach to skill development and maintenance through music, we invite you to reach out to our team of expert Board-Certified Music Therapists to learn more about how music therapy can enhance the journey.