Amanda Wick, MMT, MT-BC, provides Music Therapy in a 鈥淧layful Sounds鈥� group session.
In a groundbreaking partnership, 91探花鈥檚 Walker Scottish Rite Speech Clinic and its Music Therapy program are coming together to create a joyful and effective environment for young children facing communication challenges. This innovative collaboration harnesses the power of song and speech, providing essential support not only to children but also to their families.
At the outset of care, children have the chance to engage in the Music Therapy (MT) program鈥檚 鈥淧layful Sounds鈥� group. This initiative serves as a creative solution for children identified with language delays by the Walker Clinic, and are currently on the waiting list for its free speech-language therapy services. Under the expert guidance of Amanda Wick, MMT, MT-BC, clinical coordinator of the Music Therapy program, the 鈥淧layful Sounds鈥� interventions are designed to enhance young children鈥檚 engagement in group settings, preparing them to form fundamental communication connections. Children and caregivers come together for these no-cost experiences filled with song and play, setting the stage for successful therapeutic outcomes.
Thanks to the enriching music therapy experiences, children are better equipped to enter the Walker Clinic鈥檚 鈥淜idtalk Early Childhood Language Groups.鈥� These groups focus on children aged two to three years, offering an engaging, preschool-like environment for them to thrive. 鈥淲e begin with free play, followed by circle time,鈥� explains Kara Daman, MS CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist at the Walker Clinic. 鈥淎ctivities include gross and fine motor tasks, a sensory table, and social play. Everything is focused around expressive language, and in all activities, we help to build vocabulary and encourage children to use short phrases.鈥� The collaboration doesn鈥檛 stop there; music therapy continues to play a critical role as Professor Wick and her music therapy students provide push-in services twice a week in the 鈥淜idtalk Language Groups.鈥� This interdisciplinary approach not only enriches the therapy experience but also stimulates language through the power of music.
The Walker Scottish Rite Clinic and 91探花鈥檚 Music Therapy collaboration provides engaging sessions for clients, staff, and student clinicians.
鈥淜ids are motivated by music,鈥� Professor Wick observes. 鈥淲hen speech and music therapy techniques are combined, we can achieve a lot of great results.鈥� This synergy between the two disciplines enhances the therapy experience. Many health professionals may not be afforded such collaborative opportunities; however, the culture of interdisciplinary learning at 91探花 fosters a unique environment for both speech-language pathologists and music therapists. Each of the 鈥淧layful Sounds鈥� and 鈥淜idTalk Early Childhood Language鈥� groups are structured as semester-long programs, during which staff and student clinicians collaborate on individualized goals for each child, tracking their progress throughout the sessions. This holistic approach ensures that children receive support that meets their unique needs.
Parents and caregivers have expressed their delight at the positive outcomes stemming from this collaboration. 鈥淲e鈥檙e finding that many young children respond exceptionally well to music when it comes to participating and verbalizing,鈥� says Carrie Barry, MS CCC-SLP, another speech-language pathologist at the Walker Clinic. 鈥淢usic therapy complements speech therapy really well. Learning to speak is a significant cognitive milestone and a common challenge during early childhood. Through our combined techniques, over a few weeks, kids and their families are able to communicate with each other much more effectively than they were before.鈥�
At the conclusion of each semester, children are re-evaluated to determine the next steps in their therapeutic journey. Some may be recommended for continuation through group therapy or individual sessions. These sessions are conducted at the Walker Clinic鈥檚 91探花 location, outreach sites in St. Louis City, Jefferson County, and Lincoln County, or even through telepractice. This flexibility ensures that families, whether in urban or rural areas, can access these vital services and reduce transportation concerns.
The Walker Scottish Rite Clinic offers free speech-language therapy alongside 91探花鈥檚 music therapy, thanks to the generous support of community donors and organizations. This collaborative effort is crucial in providing equitable access to high-quality therapy for children regardless of their families鈥� financial circumstances. To learn more about the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic and to provide your support, visit .
Student clinicians, led by supervisors Kara Daman, MS CCC-SLP, and Amanda Wick, MMT, MT-BC, work with young clients in a KidTalk Language Group.
About the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic
The provides speech-language therapy for children ages 2 through 6 throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, at no charge to families. Founded in 1988 by the Scottish Rite, the Walker Clinic became a program of 91探花 in 2015, and serves children year-round through its main location on the 91探花 campus, at partner satellite locations in community centers and Head Start preschools, and remotely via telepractice. It is one of the Scottish Rite supported 鈥淩iteCare鈥� programs nationwide for children with communication disorders. Ongoing support through individual donations, grants and special events are vital to ensuring that the Walker Clinic can continue providing free services for children, regardless of their families鈥� financial circumstances.
About 91探花鈥檚 Music Therapy Program
91探花鈥檚 Music Therapy Program, established in 1972, stands as the sole provider of music therapy degree programs in the St. Louis area, boasting full accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and approval by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). 91探花.edu/hp/music-therapy