Youth-powered music therapy for special needs students

(TDSB Inner City Model School)

“We cannot thank Music for Every Child enough for their hard work and dedication in fundraising to make this experience possible. These sessions have been fun, engaging, and accessible, and have allowed our students to express themselves musically in a way they never have before. It truly has been an unforgettable experience that we hope they can continue to enjoy year after year. Thanks again!”

– Danny Gallucci, Principal and Gary Bertao, Special-Ed Teacher

(TDSB Inner City Model School)

“Music for Every Child (MFEC) is one of those TDSB partnerships that has met an immediate need for our students and school community. Through music therapy, our students have learned to express themselves through music and art. They participate in the learning at their own pace. The atmosphere is calming, and, as a result, our students are typically relaxed. We have been privileged to have MFEC provide music therapy twice a week.”

– Shalomi Bhoolai, Vice Principal

“Music For Every Child brings extremely inclusive programming to our school. We saw firsthand how much joy it brought to our kids, seeing them move, play instruments, make beats to music they love so freely and creatively. It’s also good that there is structure and the therapist helps set clear boundaries, which works well with special needs students. The goodbye song made a kid cry once!”

– Crystal Lo, Special-Ed Teacher

“Our students enjoy the experience very much. It allows them to participate in activities that are fun and relaxing. Music activities build the community and continue to develop friendships. Students’ musical skills and knowledge are enriched by the experience of the creative process. Musical therapy’s sensory activities engage a variety of senses. This allows students to improve their mood, settle down anxiety and unwanted behaviours. Therapy connects related to arts sensory and other experiences with the Arts Curriculum. It is enjoyable and helps students feel they belong.”

– Veronika Belova, Music/ Special Needs Teacher
(Heydon Park Secondary School is TDSB’s only small student-centred public high school for young women, transgender & non-binary students)

“Thank you for sharing!!! We LOVE our music therapy. I honestly can’t even capture in words how Abby comes in and just brings everyone together. We LOVE Mondays with music Therapy 💕💕”

– Mary Burrell, Special-Ed Teacher

“Our vision and mission fully align with that of Music for Every Child, as this amazing group is making music therapy programming accessible for students and schools who would like to add it to their educational complement for disabled children. Without this organization, our team feels that we would never have been able to access these students, as often music is overlooked as a tool for therapy, developmental support, and a powerful tool for supporting a child’s psychosocial wellbeing.”

– Mary Meads, Clinical Director

“The session went well and students were very engaged, during the session there were many teachers, school staff and even the principal came for a visit and observed us. We received very good comments from the teachers after the session. One of the highlights is that they noticed some students were able to follow instructions well and engaged in the music making activities. They loved the energy we brought to the team. One teacher also expressed that she enjoyed the session so much. When I asked how they felt at the end of the session, here are the words they told the group: alive, peace, energy, calm, teamwork.”

– Samuel Liu, Drum Circle Facilitator

“Music Therapy has been fantastic for our students in the SPEARS class at Dolphin Sr. P.S. It provides them with opportunities to explore instruments that create different sounds, sing/listen to songs with different rhythms and tempos, and spend time engaging and interacting with their peers, educators, and music therapists in an experience that is tailored specifically to make them smile. The program is modified, accommodated and adapted so every child can participate to their full extent and it is something that they look forward to each week. The social and emotional development opportunities that music therapy provides our class means our students are learning skills and tools that they can take with them when they move on from the program. We are forever grateful for the experiences and joy that music therapy brings us every week.”

– Ms. Telford, Educational Assistant

“As a mother of two special needs students, it warms my heart to see people like you doing these kinds of things to help them out. It makes a huge difference in their lives!!” – Anne, Parent  

“The music therapy sessions bring lots of joy to her. She really really loves it. She loves singing, she loves playing instruments – it’s like a party for her. It brings her out of her shell. She wants to join in and participate. That’s a big challenge when you’re a special needs child, for you to have that enthusiasm, to be in a team, and to socialize and have fun. It relaxes her; her behaviour and mood changes. And her concentration becomes 100% because she loves music therapy.” – Kamala, Parent