The Fulton County Schools Music Therapy Department

Front Row (left to right): Amber Weldon-Stephens,Rachel Bruschi,Carol Statella-Harris,Missy Worden
Roy Joiner,Emily Baker,Stephanie Davis,Marsha Lane,Natalie Generally,
Back Row (left to right): John LaForge

The Fulton County Schools
Music Therapy Department
by Emily Baker, MT-BC
ed. Carol Statella-Harris, MME, MT-BC

What is Music Therapy?
According to the American Music Therapy Association, “Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.”

For more information, visit http://www.musictherapy.org

Mission Statement
The mission of the Fulton County Music Therapy Department is to address the needs of students who have various disabilities, as outlined on their IEPs, through the clinical and therapeutic use of music. A music therapist will also educate teachers and parents on how to utilize music most effectively in the classroom and at home.

Music Therapy In Fulton County Schools
In 1991, the Fulton County School System created its music therapy program with a single music therapist. Now, Fulton County has nine music therapists working with about 1000 students in 35 schools. In 1998, the county became an approved American Music Therapy Association National Roster internship site. The music therapy program is funded and supported through the music department. Music therapists working in the county are required to hold Georgia teacher certification in music. Also, each music therapist is required to hold board certification in the field of music therapy. The music therapy department proudly supports the Fulton County School System’s mission to educate students to be responsible, productive citizens who through continuous learning will be able to adapt to an ever-changing, global society.

Music therapists work in conjunction with classroom teachers and related professionals to address the goals and objectives that are stated in the individual education plans (IEP) of each student. Specifically, music therapists use music and music based interventions to target student needs. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, each music therapist carefully reviews the IEP of each student as part of the treatment plan process. After assessing each student, a music therapist will design music therapy sessions for small groups based on client needs. Finally, a music therapist will discuss session results with the other members of the interdisciplinary team.

Populations Served by Music Therapy
Moderate/Severe/Profound Intellectual Disability
Students with Autism
Hearing Impaired
Orthopedically Impaired
Speech & Language Disorder
Special Needs Kindergarten
Special Needs Pre-Kindergarten
Severe Emotional/Behavioral Disorder

Goals/Objectives
Goals for most music therapy sessions include the use of music interventions to:
Promote academic learning
Provide sensory experiences
Stimulate creativity and imagination
Enhance mobility training
Improve communication

Objectives:
Skills are addressed within objectives specifically designed for each intervention.
These may include:
Establishing eye contact
Strengthening balance and coordination
Increasing expressive communication
Responding appropriately in social settings
Increasing independence and self-direction

Interventions/Activities
Music improvisation
Moving to music
Song writing
Music performance
Learning through music
Instrument exploration
Receptive music listening