Mind Body Interventions: Dance, Music, Animal
Art and music are particularly useful in sensory integration, providing tactile, visual and auditory stimulation. Music therapy is good for speech development and language comprehension as well as rhythm and math skills. Songs can be used to teach language and social skills and increase the ability to put words together into meaningful strings. Art therapy can provide a nonverbal symbolic way of expression as well as providing good sensory practice with fine motor skills.
Animal therapy may include therapeutic horseback riding or work with dogs. Riding can provide physical and emotional benefits, and work with therapy dogs can increase confidence and language skills while providing a close emotional relationship with the animal. As with any therapy, it is important to understand the limitations of the program, decide what areas are being targeted with the approach, and create a system of measurement so that you can determine the impact of the therapy.
