Music Sweet Music - MSM Music Therapy
by Julie Tatro, MT-BC, NICU-MT

Music is often a part of everyday life, and most of us can recall moments when music affected us on a mental, physical, social or emotional level. The character of music to touch us in many ways makes it a valuable and effective tool in helping children with special needs and their families feel connected and move towards their goals and potentials. A board certified music therapist is a skilled professional who applies the tool of music to meet developmental goals. The benefits of music therapy for children with special needs include, but are not limited to:

• Development in cognitive, behavioral, physical and emotional skills

• Development in communication and sensorimotor skills

• Stimulation of attention and motivation to participate in various areas of the educational setting

• Create a sense of order for behavioral expectations and maintain structure

• Provide reassurance to children with special needs

• Integrate educational goals

The Music Therapist can adapt strategies to encourage the child’s participation in the least restrictive environment, offer direct or consultant services, support special education classroom teachers by providing effective ways to incorporate music into their academic curriculum, and integrate the family into the music therapy treatment to reinforce the family’s bond and development.

Music Therapy is considered a related service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). When music therapy is deemed necessary to assist a child benefit from his/her special education, goals are documented on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) as a related service intervention.

Music Sweet Music, Inc. was born out of recognition of the power of music in the hands of a Music Therapist to make deep connections with children and move them towards health and wellness. Since it’s inception, Music Sweet Music has provided Music Therapy services to children with special needs, children in hospitals, and children in Foster care in the Tampa Bay and Lakeland areas. Board members of Music Sweet Music are also active speakers to local community groups in an effort to raise awareness of Music Therapy. As more families become aware of this profession and the effectiveness it has, Music Sweet Music is working to be a premier provider of Music Therapy services in the greater Tampa Bay area.

The latest addition to the corps of talented Music Therapists contracted by Music Sweet Music, Inc. is Julie Tatro, MT-BC, NICU-MT. After graduating from the Florida State University, Julie was the Music Therapist and Music Therapy Clinical Coordinator for 13 years and Internship Training Director for 9 years at All Children’s Hospital. Over the last 3 years of her employment, the Music Therapy program received over 1,200 referrals and provided almost 3,500 interventions. While working with children of all ages and with various medical and developmental needs, Julie developed a practice that is client-centered, adaptable to the needs of the moment as well as to the long-term goals, based in research and theory, and grounded in music. While at All Children’s, Julie was recognized as a valuable team member for bringing information about each child’s personality and coping style, advocating for families’ needs, and being able to help a child in almost any medical or emotional condition. For more information about music therapy visit American Music Therapy Association, www.musictherapy.org.

For more information, please contact Music Sweet Music, Inc. at www.musicsweetmusic.org or (727) 381-9095.