Music is often called the “universal language”. Even without words, music can excite, inspire and move us. It can make us feel sad without quite knowing why, or brave and confident for no particular reason. Different people respond to different sorts of music, but it is a rare person who doesn’t respond at all.
Music therapists take this inborn love for music and develop it into a new form of  communication for people who have physical, emotional and mental handicaps.

Because music is so interesting and compelling to a child, a music therapist can use it to help him learn to listen carefully, to concentrate. This is a necessary step in learning to speak and many children with communication problems can be helped to acquire language through the skilled use of music.

Music is also very valuable for people who have trouble relating to others. Simply sitting and listening to music together can create a bond between the therapist and the person which can help the person begin to trust her. Musical games which require taking turns and listening to someone else’s effort also teach essential social skills.

Music therapy can help to develop physical coordination in people who have difficulty moving. Because a catchy tune usually makes us want to move along to the beat, repeated sessions may build a person’s confidence in his own physical abilities, as well as helping to develop the sense of rhythm which is so important for both movement and speech.