2008 Woodie Awards
Music therapy seminar informs students of profession to assist disabled individuals
Tanya Wiebers
Issue date: 10/2/03 Section: News
Suzette Price gave a seminar Thursday Sept. 25 to music majors about music therapy.
"What music therapy is about is basically I use music to help people with disabilities," Price, Scott City, said.
Price travels around to area towns such as Liberal, Scott City and Garden City. She learned about music therapy from her cousin.
Price worked for a retirement home for about a year, then went on to be an independent therapist.
Music therapy is a new profession. There are only about 71 professional therapists in the state of Kansas, according to Price.
"Music therapy is different than what I thought it would be," James Hensley, Ensign, said about the seminar.
A parent or a teacher have to require an assessment. With assessing the child, she will study the child's behavior in class, how long the child focuses on one thing, and how long the child will sit. Then Price will discuss the assessment with the parents and teachers. And then finally Price can start the therapy.
Price said she uses music to calm and teach the person. If she is working with a child who doesn't know their shapes, Price will use shape drums. Price says that she will make up songs off the top of her head about whatever her and the child is working on.
"If a child is out of control, all you have to do is put on some music and the child will pull their attention to the music and calm themselves," Price said.
Price went on to talk about an autistic little girl, who could not stand to be touched or have anything touching her. Price said she used drums and let the little girl feel the vibrations. And because of Price doing so, the little girl will now lean into the drum, and is now able to wear headphones on her head.
Music therapy isn't just for students. A woman who is pregnant can use music therapy throughout the pregnancy and during the labor, according to Price.
Throughout the pregnancy, a woman can listen to different kinds of music with each trimester. During labor, the music will help the woman calm down and focus, as well as the doctor's and nurses in the delivery room as well.
Music therapy can also help with the elderly who have Alzheimer's and are usually grumpy. Price said that they will open up after they hear a favorite song of theirs.
"I think it's cool that they offer music therapy in Garden City for children and not just big cities." Shealyn Green, Garden City, said. Green said she thought it was interesting seminar.
"The seminar was neat and amazing," Christina Craig, Garden City, said.
Craig, a music major, said that music therapy seems effective and simpler than other forms of therapy.
"What music therapy is about is basically I use music to help people with disabilities," Price, Scott City, said.
Price travels around to area towns such as Liberal, Scott City and Garden City. She learned about music therapy from her cousin.
Price worked for a retirement home for about a year, then went on to be an independent therapist.
Music therapy is a new profession. There are only about 71 professional therapists in the state of Kansas, according to Price.
"Music therapy is different than what I thought it would be," James Hensley, Ensign, said about the seminar.
A parent or a teacher have to require an assessment. With assessing the child, she will study the child's behavior in class, how long the child focuses on one thing, and how long the child will sit. Then Price will discuss the assessment with the parents and teachers. And then finally Price can start the therapy.
Price said she uses music to calm and teach the person. If she is working with a child who doesn't know their shapes, Price will use shape drums. Price says that she will make up songs off the top of her head about whatever her and the child is working on.
"If a child is out of control, all you have to do is put on some music and the child will pull their attention to the music and calm themselves," Price said.
Price went on to talk about an autistic little girl, who could not stand to be touched or have anything touching her. Price said she used drums and let the little girl feel the vibrations. And because of Price doing so, the little girl will now lean into the drum, and is now able to wear headphones on her head.
Music therapy isn't just for students. A woman who is pregnant can use music therapy throughout the pregnancy and during the labor, according to Price.
Throughout the pregnancy, a woman can listen to different kinds of music with each trimester. During labor, the music will help the woman calm down and focus, as well as the doctor's and nurses in the delivery room as well.
Music therapy can also help with the elderly who have Alzheimer's and are usually grumpy. Price said that they will open up after they hear a favorite song of theirs.
"I think it's cool that they offer music therapy in Garden City for children and not just big cities." Shealyn Green, Garden City, said. Green said she thought it was interesting seminar.
"The seminar was neat and amazing," Christina Craig, Garden City, said.
Craig, a music major, said that music therapy seems effective and simpler than other forms of therapy.