In-Clinic Programs

Individual Sessions

Our board certified music therapists use research-based neurologic music therapy interventions to meet the academic, sensorimotor, emotional, social, communication and development needs of your loved one in our clinic location in San Diego.

Individual sessions are ideal for those who would respond best to customized experiences that incorporate creative and new approaches designed to meet their needs. Our music therapists assess the needs of your loved one, work with you to develop goal areas, and select techniques to help them succeed.

Our techniques are drawn from a foundation in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT). NMT is based on a neuroscience model of music perception and production, and the influence of music on functional changes in nonmusical brain and behavior functions. Research supports connections between speech and singing, rhythm and motor behavior, memory for song, memory to recall academic material, and overall ability of preferred music to enhance mood, attention, and behavior to optimize the your loved one’s ability to learn and interact.

Examples of who could benefit from individual sessions include:

• A young child with speech delays
• A teen with autism
• An adult who has experienced a stroke
• An older adult who has a memory impairment

Please note: We will require you to provide a credit card number, which may be charged $40 for any no-show of a scheduled screening.

Group Sessions for Individuals with Special Needs

We provide two kinds of music therapy group experiences for individuals with special needs: Music Therapy Groups (targeting social/language skills) and Rock Band (targeting recreational/social skills). Groups are created based on the ages, developmental abilities and goals of individual students. Groups may contain two to six students depending on the needs and skills of students.

Before placement in a group, your loved one attends a 30-minute screening at one of our clinic sites. During this screening session, the therapist and individual become acquainted, needs and strengths are determined, and the therapist determines the appropriate group placement. Please note: We will require you to provide a credit card number, which may be charged $40 for any no-show of a scheduled screening.

Customized Music Therapy Groups
All ages

These groups are designed on a case by case basis. Music therapists use catchy songs to capture your child’s attention and motivate him or her, while fostering appropriate social and language skills.

From enticing instruments to colorful visuals, your child is immediately engaged in musical conversations through cooperative instrument playing and social stories. Learning to make eye contact, increasing spontaneous and cued speech, improving speech intelligibility, taking turns, and developing appropriate social reactions are a few of the goal areas that can be addressed in this group.

Rock Band Program
Ages 13 and up

Rock Band is a group made up of individuals who are actively learning an instrument by taking individual adapted lessons (typically for at least a year) and are interested in being in a band with their peers. Placement in a rock band is based on an individual screening and current openings in available groups. Currently we have several rock bands including the Kingsmen and Yakety Yaks.

Check out one of our featured rock bands, The Kingsmen, performing with the popular rock group, The English Beat!

The Kingsmen with the English Beat

Examples of individuals who could benefit from group sessions include:

• A teen with autism working on social skills
• A child with developmental delay

Adapted Lessons

Does your child or loved one want to learn to play an instrument or learn to sing? Our talented team provides creative and innovative approaches to learn how to play an instrument incorporating visuals, color-coding, videos and movement.

Currently we offer individualized instruction on the following instruments: guitar, piano, voice, flute, ukulele, strings, brass and drums/percussion. We incorporate the latest technology into our lessons including ipads, Clavinovas, keyboards and recording equipment when appropriate. Many of our students also take individual lessons in songwriting and have even released their own albums. If you are interested in learning how your loved one might benefit from our creative approach to lessons, contact us today!

Songbirds
For young children with special needs

Our popular Songbirds program is a 45-minute music social group to promote communication and social skills for early childhood. Children participate in turn taking, sharing, and collaborative play with peers through instruments and song. Parents/Caregivers attend the group with their child.

With young children, music therapy provides a unique variety of music experiences in an intentional and developmentally appropriate manner to effect changes in a child’s behavior and facilitate development of his/her communication, social/emotional, sensorimotor, and/or cognitive skills. It involves relationships between a qualified therapist and child; between one child and another, between child and family; and between the music and the participants. These relationships are structured by the music therapist and adapted through the elements of music to create a positive environment and set the occasion for successful growth.

Camp Jam

Camp Jam (Joining Arts & Music) is our popular camp for youth with autism and other special needs that provides an opportunities for social skills and developing new friends through fun and interactive music experiences. Provided three times a year: Holiday camp (December), Spring break camp (March) and a 4-day summer camp (August). Contact us for more information.

Testimonial

“My son thoroughly enjoyed Camp Jam and I can’t count how many times he has said that he really liked it and how he misses it and can’t wait to go again next year. Even though he had some difficult moments, overall, he had such a wonderful experience, and just this past week he was having a hard time controlling himself and started singing, “Stand firm in your self control…” all on his own. MTCCA does a fabulous job, I’m so thankful these experiences are available for special needs folks.”
– Satisfied parent

Summer Sounds
A Social Group for Teens and Young Adults with Special Needs

Looking for something fun to do on a summer night? Join one of our summer sounds groups, designed by board-certified music therapists to develop leadership and social skills! Your teen or young adult will jam out singing summer themed hits during this interactive group. Bring your instrument to play along or try out a new one. During this group we experience drumming, singing, songwriting and instrument playing. Contact us to find out more.