By Lisa Capobianco Staff Writer Music therapy can help children with special needs develop their cognitive, behavioral, physical and emotional skills, as well as their communication and sensorimotor skills, reports the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Music therapy for children with special needs serves as a professional health discipline that uses music as an educational tool to promote learning and skill acquisition, according to the Association’s website. Emily Bevelaqua, a board-certified music therapist who has worked with a variety of clients, including children and adults with autism and neurological disorders, has facilitated music therapy groups throughout the state. For Bevelaqua, helping children with special needs develop a variety of different skills through music serves as a rewarding experience. “It makes me happy to see children engaged in something,” said Bevelaqua, who works for Connecticut Music Therapy Services, LLC. “It is nice to see the music trigger other goals.” Bevelaqua will facilitate a new music therapy group next month in Southington. The Southington Parks & Recreations Department will offer an Inclusive Music Therapy Group program for children with special needs ages seven to 14. The group will meet in the lower level program room at the Southington Public Library on Thursdays, [...]
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