Music therapy can heal emotions that cause reading disabilities
Science supports that music therapy sometimes opens up the world of reading for children, so why isn’t there greater awareness?
On Nov. 27 an expert in helping kids in school with reading disabilities answered his own question in an article titled “My child struggles with reading. Can music therapy help?” Howard Margolis spent his lifetime helping parents get their children with reading problems through school, and he believes music therapy must be considered because of its unique power to reach people emotionally, opening the door to associating positive emotions with reading.
The book Margolis especially recommends is Emotional Processes in Music Therapy. Many people are unaware that music therapy is a treatment option or a career path. Music therapists have a national organization, AMTA, but greater recognition has been a challenge.
“Why do schools and reading specialists forget the power of music when trying to help struggling, discouraged readers replace their negative emotions about reading with positive ones?” Margolis asks. “Why do they forget the power of music to motivate?”
One of the books he authored helps parents negotiate the Individualized Education Program set up between parents and schools for children with special needs. Since emotional issues reinforce other blocks and frustrations, Margolis would like to see IEPs explore whether professional-quality music therapy results in steady progress. Reading is fundamental, and music therapy through the schools can help more young learners build on that foundation.