This book provides practical guidance on how to successfully incorporate music, sound and vibration into your special school, exploring the rich benefits that musical opportunities offer for children with physical, mental health and learning disabilities. Music has been shown to improve mood, lift depression, improve blood flow and even ease pain, whilst musical interventions can encourage communication and enable relaxation. This book explores the physical, cognitive and mental health benefits of music use in special schools, introducing therapies and innovations that can be adapted for use in your own specialist setting. Key features include: • Chapters exploring a range of music therapies and technologies that allow all students to access the benefits of music, sound and vibration, from one-to-one therapeutic music sessions to vibro-acoustic therapy and sing and sign • Case studies and anecdotes showcasing the innovative ways that special schools are using music, and providing concrete examples of how to deliver, record and access music provision • Photocopiable policies, risk assessments and links to useful resources Written by an author with a wealth of experience in special education, this book is essential reading for all those working in specialist settings or with children with SEND.

"This book provides practical guidance on how to successfully incorporate music, sound and vibration into your special school, exploring the rich benefits that musical opportunities offer for children with physical, mental health and learning disabilities. Music has been shown to improve mood, lift depression, improve blood flow and even ease pain, whilst musical interventions can encourage communication and enable relaxation. This book explores the physical, cognitive and mental health benefits of music use in special schools, introducing therapies and innovations that can be adapted for use in your own specialist setting. Key features include: Chapters exploring a range of music therapies and technologies that allow all students to access the benefits of music, sound and vibration, from one-to-one therapeutic music sessions, to vibroacoustic therapy and sing and sign. Case studies and anecdotes showcasing the innovative ways that special schools are using music, and providing concrete examples of how to deliver, record and access music provision. Photocopiable policies, risk assessments and links to useful resources Written by an author with a wealth of experience in special education, this book is essential reading for all those working in specialist settings or with children with SEND"--

This book examines the development of play skills and schemas to support children with learning differences and physical disabilities in learning to play. It highlights the need for appropriate playground equipment in all school settings that educate children with physical disabilities and sensory needs to ensure equal opportunities for outdoor play. Several play approaches for meeting sensory needs are discussed including Lego therapy, Art therapy, Sand play and Soft play. Digital play for students with physical disabilities is an important chapter in the book. Role play and the ways in which virtual reality and psychodrama support anxieties that some students have is another important chapter. There is also a chapter devoted to parents on how they can support their child at home and how the school can support them. At the end of the book there is a plethora of resources that readers can copy or adapt to suit their setting. The book provides support for those managing outdoor play for these children at peak times of the day. It shows how play-based learning can work in a classroom setting; the importance of sensory profiles and sensory play; and how play therapy can aid neuroplasticity.

This book provides practical guidance on how to successfully incorporate music, sound and vibration into your special school, exploring the rich benefits that musical opportunities offer for children with physical, mental health and learning disabilities. Music has been shown to improve mood, lift depression, improve blood flow and even ease pain, whilst musical interventions can encourage communication and enable relaxation. This book explores the physical, cognitive and mental health benefits of music use in special schools, introducing therapies and innovations that can be adapted for use in your own specialist setting. Key features include: • Chapters exploring a range of music therapies and technologies that allow all students to access the benefits of music, sound and vibration, from one-to-one therapeutic music sessions to vibro-acoustic therapy and sing and sign • Case studies and anecdotes showcasing the innovative ways that special schools are using music, and providing concrete examples of how to deliver, record and access music provision • Photocopiable policies, risk assessments and links to useful resources Written by an author with a wealth of experience in special education, this book is essential reading for all those working in specialist settings or with children with SEND.

When 4th grader Alex Schwartz first met his cello, his eyes lit up with wonder and a smile appeared on his face as bright as the potential his new cello teacher saw within him. The cello positively impacted all aspects of his development including focus, fine motor and gross motor skills. Through the transformative power of music, Alex's voice sings through his cello in songs of joy, determination and strength. Up Bow Down Bow shares the beauty of his ongoing musical journey and tells of the vital teamwork between a young music teacher with an endless belief in the abilities of her students, and a mother with ceaseless love, support and hope for her son who has Down syndrome, epilepsy and hypotonia. "Children with varying abilities have much to offer us all. This book speaks to how parents, families and communities can support children with diverse capabilities and the joy we can receive in return" -Barbara Bowman, Irving B. Harris Professor, Erikson Institute "This is a tale of the triumph of the human spirit: the triumph managed through a parent's love and persistence, a teacher's dedication, a young boy's desire to learn and music's power to transform." -Russ Walsh, Rider University, author of A Parent's Guide to Public Education in the 21st Century "This collaboration offers a promising and powerful blueprint for educators, parents and caregivers everywhere to collab-orate, teach and love all children within the space of strength-based perspectives." -Kass Minor, Co-Founding Educator and Executive Director, The Minor Collective "Up Bow, Down Bow: A Child with Down Syndrome and His Journey to Master the Cello by Nancy M. Schwartz and April E. Beard is a multivocal learning narrative that weaves the rhythms of a mother's vision and persistence, a teacher's skill and dedication, a young boy's vitality and commitment to learning with the power of relational music instruction. In this book, the cello is a portal-to an illuminating vision of how families, educators, and communities can optimally support children with diverse capabilities in ways that generate reciprocal learning and transformation." -Sharon M. Ravitch, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education "This book, co-authored by the kind of teacher or parent that every child deserves, captures the magical powers of music to meet learners where they are. It is a loving thank you note to every teacher whose lessons have built our competence and confidence. While it is the continuing and triumphant story of one child's journey towards independence, Up Bow, Down Bow is also a universal guide to how to live a good life-working together as a team and looking beyond obstacles to embrace new challenges." -- Betty Litsinger, Director of Multilingual Writing, Bryn Mawr College "This beautiful book shows the inner beauty of a whole community, focused on the inner beauty of Alex, a little boy with Down syndrome. It is the joint account of a loving mother and a talented, loving music teacher in helping Alex to grow through learning to play the cello. At twelve years of age, Alex is unable to do many of the things we take for granted, including speech, and yet... Read, and be inspired." --Bob Rich, PhD, professional grandfather and author of From Depression to Contentment Learn more at www.UpNotDownBook.com From Modern History Press

Spiritual healing modalities are powerful tools, which enhance holistic and allopathic methods in caring for special needs children. This research paper explores four methods of spiritual healing, which benefit disabled children on all levels of existence. The spiritual healing techniques of Touch Therapy, Sound Therapy, Channeling and Love Therapy address the unique mind-body-spirit requirements of the pediatric special needs community. Spiritual healing empowers parents and caretakers to take the responsibility of healing into their own homes and to enhance communication with their child via the Divine Spirit in ways not normally explored in traditional approaches. The scientific study of energy medicine further adds credibility to alternative models of healing and opens the minds of allopathic practitioners. Implementing a protocol of Spiritual healing for special needs children bridges the emerging scientific knowledge of energy with holistic approaches and traditional allopathic methods, unlocking the door to the expansion of Spirit Consciousness for all.