Jesse’s Sound Potential

Jesse’s Sound Potential – What is it?
Originally launched in January 2004 as a pilot in Brampton, Jesses’s Sound Potential is now an established subsidized music therapy program for children with identified needs* (and/ or their siblings) in their home communities. (See Jesses’s Sound Potential – Who can benefit? below.)

• Jesses’s Sound Potential, Brampton is now in its third year. For more information.

• Jesses’s Sound Potential, Mississauga launched in autumn 2007. For more information.

• Jesses’s Sound Potential, KW (Roberts Centre) Is enrolling Kitchener-Waterloo children with idenfitied needs. For further information, or to refer a child. or 519.896.0799.

Jesses’s Sound Potential – Who can benefit?

* Music therapy can benefit various special needs including:

• autism
• developmental disabilities
• emotional disturbances and/or victims of emotional, physical or sexual abuse
• learning disabilities
• medical needs
• neurological impairments (including speech)
• palliative care
• PDD (pervasive developmental disorders)
• physical disabilities
• speech development

The program serves children with special needs, living with a physical impairment or suffering from a long-term illness - and their siblings. It is open to children up to the age of 18 years and meeting the criteria to qualify for the subsidized program.

Jesse’s Sound Potential, Brampton – some testimonies

Parents of children registered in Jesse’s Sound Potential, Brampton report:

"My son is a child who finds it difficult to find the right rhythm in life. Jesse’s Sound Potential is helping him improve his listening skills and teaching him to better pace himself. This is the first of many extracurricular activities that I have tried with him that he really seems to enjoy."

"Excellent! Music therapy has helped my son regulate his behaviour, in part by expanding his expressions and vocalizations – in a fun and positive way. Jesse’s Sound Potential has given him a sense of purpose and accomplishment."

Why music?

Music is a non-threatening and inviting medium. Children find it especially easy to relate to the music, which can be motivating as well as calming and used to encourage appropriate social interaction with others.

Interesting:

• Kumar et al (1999). This study tested blood samples of 20 individuals after 4 weeks of music therapy. Findings included increased melatonin levels. Melatonin is largely known for preventing "the blues".

• Suko and Akiuma (2004). Found that music raises dopamime levels. Dopamime is associated with the "pleasure system" of the brain, which provides feelings of enjoyment.

• Music alters heart rate, respiration, mood and elicits a relaxation response. (Pignatello, Camp, Elder, Thomas and Rasar 1989)

What is the Ontario situation?

Although publicly funded in other parts of the world, the Ontario government does NOT fund music therapy. Even when alternate or personal funding is available, many families outside the 416 area code face wait times of over a year to access a music therapist in their local communities.

Who can work as a music therapist?

The Canadian Association of Music Therapy (CAMT), established in 1974, regulates music therapy. A qualified music therapist:

• is a proficient musician trained to use music and education in psychology as well as child development to meet the specific needs of his/her clients is a graduate from a recognized four-year undergraduate and/or Masters University degree in music therapy
• serves a thousand hour internship supervised by an accredited music therapist
• Jesse’s Sound Potential music therapists fulfil these CAMT requirements. In addition, they are:
• experienced in working with children
• committed to ongoing professional development, maintaining affiliations with music therapy professional groups to keep up to date with research and techniques in the field.