SUCCESS STORY
Music Therapy Helps Children Gain a Sense of Accomplishment
O
ne area where families or healthcare professionals can find success is with music therapy for their loved one or someone they assist. Music therapy can help influence someone’s own drum beat, while the end result is joy and success. Someone who is in tune with this is Amara May, a music therapist credentialed through the Board Certification for Music Therapists and with a Master’s from The State University of New York at Fredonia. She has years of experience working with people of all abilities. May approaches her craft through many platforms: She is a music therapist for People Inc., where she facilitates both group and individual sessions with people of all abilities within the agency’s various Day Services, located throughout Western New York. She works primarily on goals, such as positive social emotional expression and socialization with peers through music.
Sharing her skills even further, May incorporates music into the lives of many children and young adults with varying abilities through her woman-owned LLC business, May Creative Arts. She has a partnership with Matt’s Music in North Tonawanda, NY, where she provides music therapy service to clients at their facility, mostly children or young adults with disabilities. She also goes into client’s homes and provides services. The mission of May Creative Arts is to help clients enrich their lives through music, by addressing the social, mental, physical, creative, clinical and spiritual needs of each person, while fostering a support48 WNY Family June 2022
ive and inclusive environment.
In addition to her educational and professional knowledge, May has a personal experience of a family member with a disability to relate to clients and their caregivers. “I grew up with an older brother, Alex, who was born with Down syndrome, and he has always been someone I admired and looked up to,” says May with a smile. “Alex always found relief and expression through the creative arts and led me to where I am now. Alex shows and proves to me how essential people with disabilities are to this world. He truly opened my mind to seeing the kindness, love and potential that people of all abilities have.” Parents and caregivers can also help their child or young adult progress by encouraging music outside of a class setting. “Overall, many music therapists provide support to families or caregivers on how to continue the music making process in the home,” May remarked. “The most important thing I tell caregivers is to always continue experiencing music — sing to your child, find instruments in the home, share your voice and love of music with them — the rest will come naturally.” When music therapy begins, it’s important that it is goal oriented in order to be successful. According to May, it is common for music therapists to work with caregivers and the person themselves
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Growth Strategies — by Nicole Forgione
to develop goals and objectives they want addressed through music, which are then tracked and adjusted as needed. “One of my favorite things to witness as a music therapist is seeing pure and positive social interactions happen among peers with disabilities,” stated May. “I have walked into many scenarios of agitation or frustration, but once the music starts, people become engaged and are positive. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been blessed to experience this.” Is it ever too young or too late for someone with a developmental disability to start music sessions? May does not think so. “For a child, there is no ‘right’ time to start music therapy,” replied May. “Early Intervention (services such as occupational, physical and speech therapies) often includes music and provides natural support for children. I believe that every child is musical in nature and