Environmental Mood Music
The Environmental Mood Music (EMM) treatment approach is a structured listening program, where specifically designed music is used to make positive changes in a child’s system. This approach has been successfully used to decrease difficulties with a child’s attention, coordination, emotion, learning and language. The therapeutic benefits of music are combined with sophisticated sound technology to produce specific effects on the child’s ability to listen, attend and learn.
Listening is a function of the entire brain. Training of this function goes beyond just stimulation of the auditory system. The Environmental Mood Music program uses sound stimulation in combination with sensory integrative techniques, and is integrated into the child’s daily routine. EMM is a home-based program, which involves listening through headphones to modulated music 2 times a day for 30 minutes sessions. Each individual program is developed and closely monitored by the child’s therapist and music selections are altered every 2-3 weeks. The choice of music and type of modulation are chosen to meet each child’s specific needs.
Some changes that can be expected include:
- auditory perception
- self-regulation
- posture and motor coordination
- language and learning
- emotional state
- awareness
- attention
- tolerance to sounds/smells
- social skills
- sleep patterns
- body in space
- hand-eye skills
Candidates for referral may include children with:
- Poor coordination
- Hyper sensitivities
- Poor sleep patterns
- Poor handwriting
- Emotional instability
- Language and learning disorders
- Decreased attention
- Low arousal
- Poor balance or postural control
- Difficulty transitioning
- Auditory processing concerns
- Delayed social skills