Music has the power to transcend communication challenges, elevate mood, and help to build relationships. It has measurable benefits in the general population, but its effects on individuals with cognitive impairments can be life-changing. The staff and families at West Dover School know this all too well and applied for an EducationMatters grant to fund a music therapy program for their special needs students. West Dover’s TASC and SKILL programs are benefitting from working with a music therapist on a weekly basis thanks to the generosity of donors, and the impact on students, staff, and families is incredible.

“Music therapy goes beyond a typical music class. It engages students individually to work on communication goals; it helps students learn about expressing emotions; it provides opportunities for a better quality of life for students that have limited access to music programs because of specialized conditions,” says Lynn Barchuk, the SKILL teacher at West Dover School.

EducationMatters was invited to attend the school’s music therapy sessions, and had the opportunity to participate in two classes. The smiles on the students' faces, their willingness to participate, and their eagerness to demonstrate what they’ve learned was a great indication of how receptive the students are to music therapy.

“I have students that don’t speak, but they can make sounds. One little girl, she doesn’t have a loud voice and she’s always very quiet. When we sing some of these songs, she’ll start putting some of the sounds together and she’ll even sing by herself! This [music therapy] really gives her a voice because she has one, and it gives her that chance to use it,” says Lynn.

Funding for this music therapy grant was provided through the Schools Helping Schools Fund, which was established by a group of Briar Hill School parents and community members. They were passionate about donating to schools that had a harder time raising funds for educational enhancements. Many schools that are situated in less-affluent areas have no parent council representation, which ultimately means fewer people to assist in school fundraising projects. After the establishment of this Fund, other school parent councils within Calgary felt inspired to donate, and because of their generosity schools like West Dover are able to provide their special-need students with powerful resources that can transform their lives for the better!

The post Changing Student Lives with Music Therapy appeared first on EducationMatters.

When a child has mild to severe autism, their environment can have a very strong effect on their ability to learn and thrive. Located in the southeast, Keeler elementary school hosts a Communication, Sensory, and Social Interaction (CSSI) program that provides learning environments for students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis.

With the support of a grant from EducationMatters, Keeler was able to purchase additional equipment for their Sensory Room; a specifically designed space which promotes self-regulation. Within the room, there is multi-sensory equipment, which is proving to be vital and effective in treatment for children and adults who experience sensory disorders.

Through CSSI, the students of Keeler School will learn how to regulate their senses and interact with others. The goal at Keeler is for the students to be able to eventually do this without the direction of an adult. This will result in reductions of disruptive behavior. The lack of interruptions helps the students with their relationships in the classroom, with the staff and in the community as well.

After modelling the sensory room on programs in two other Calgary Board of Education Schools (University School and Emily Follensbee School), Keeler School is planning for the long-term success of the CSSI program.

The Keeler CSSI program, with enhancements through EducationMatters, will help the students reach their true academic and social potential.

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This grant was made possible by generous donors who supported the Creagh Family Fund, the Public Education Enhancement Flow Thru Fund, the Schools Helping Schools Fund, and the Enhancing Education for Students with Special Needs Fund.

The post Creating Special Spaces for Keeler’s CSSI Students appeared first on EducationMatters.