Music Therapy + Speech Therapy = Awesomeness!

Recently, at Key Changes Therapy Services we began offering speech therapy, in addition to our music therapy services. As our practice has grown, some of our clients started to receive both services, which has opened the door for the opportunity for our therapists to co-treat.

What is co-treating? Co-treating is when two therapists, of different disciplines, treat clients at the same time.

Why is this beneficial?
There are many reasons co-treating can benefit clients, including the following:
– Co-treating reinforces the clients ability to transfer and generalize goals and objectives that are being addressed in one to one therapy
– Co-treating allows therapists to learn and use therapeutic approaches and techniques that are successful in sessions (For example, a music therapist can assist a speech therapist in managing or redirecting behaviors through the use of musical prompts or cues when co-treating. The speech therapist can later implement these cues into the clients’ one to one speech session.)
– Co-treating promotes an interdisciplinary team approach where together, therapists consistently update plans and goals as the child grows and succeeds
– In co-treatment, therapists focus on the “whole child;” sessions not only focus on one area of concern for the child; instead it combines and addresses multiple goal areas into one session. For example, a speech therapist and a music therapist work together to simultaneously treat a child with sensory processing and language difficulties through using a language based music intervention while incorporating sensory components (ex. instrument play, structured movement, songwriting, etc.).
– Social skills and functional language can also be easily addressed as therapists can be used as a model for appropriate verbal responses or social interaction and behavior(s) for the client

Not only does co-treating provide therapists the opportunity to collaborate and gain better understanding and appreciation for other disciplines, but it enhances treatment provided and can increase a client’s rate of success in treatment. Co-treatment has a lot of benefits for our patients; however, co-treating should only be used when the decision to do so is made collaboratively with the therapists and parents.

If you are currently receiving services or are interested in services where your child or loved one can receive co-treatment, please feel free to inquire with Natalie Mullis, owner of Key Changes or your treating therapist.