Music and Movement Activities for Sensory Integration
- By Theresa McFarland, M.A.
- Published 07/22/2008
Theresa McFarland, M.A.
Theresa McFarland, M.A.has over 20 years of education and experience providing services to children and adults who have disabilities including autism.Throughout her career, she has provided support to families through educational interventions, workshops and parent support groups.She has extensive training in research based interventions including discrete trial training,TEACCH, behavior modification, music therapy, social skills training and functional academics.Ms. McFarland has advocated for many children and will continue to provide support to families and individuals who live with disabilities.For up to date news on topics related to autism, please visitwww.newsforautism.comYour Online Magazine for Autism Related Issues
Music really is the universal language!
Children with autism who are drawn to music can benefit greatly from music therapy including music and sensory activities. At home and in the classroom, sensory activities paired with music can promote language and assist with sensory integration.
What is Sensory Integration?
Sensory integration is the process of the brain interpreting and organizing information to orient us to who we are physically, where we are and what is in our environment
Music and Movement activities can address sensory dysfunctions:
Vestibular: Difficulty coordination normal movement.
Tactile: Requiring either light or deep touch.
Auditory: Response to environmental sound
Propioceptive: Body awareness including fine and gross motor planning.
Sensory integration with music and movement supports:
Brain reorganization, oxygenation, centering body/brain warm-up, body awareness, gross motor planning, responding to environmental stimuli. 
