Accessible and Inclusive: Music Therapist Picks

• Jessica Palmer
• Posted 12/7/20
• 0 comments

If you ask any Music Therapist what is in their “bag of tricks,” many would agree that cabasas, castanets, egg shakers, and drums are high on their list! These instruments are lightweight and are easily adapted for any ability! Keep in mind when choosing instruments’ durability, portability, and the overall usage needed for your specific environment.

Cabasas are an excellent multi-faceted sensory instrument. The beads provide sensory input, and the different sized cabasas mean that we can use them for just about anyone! We identify body parts in the schools by rolling the cabasa on legs, arms, heads, and backs. We can also use the cabasa to help individuals with spastic or tight muscles, as the cabasa provides sensory input while stretching their fingers and palms. Our clients almost always choose the cabasa as a reward at the end of the session because they are easy and rewarding to play, and they just feel “cool.”

The Plastic Finger Castanets are a big hit in the schools, especially when working on color identification (have you seen all of the fun colors?) or counting. Using “play” to enhance the session, the castanets often act as “alligators” and “eat” the coins, shapes, words, etc., making the session fun and motivating. Even with gross motor limitations, individuals can reach and land on the castanet sitting on a table/tray to produce a sound.

Egg Shakers are a staple in any Music Therapy collection! They fit in the palm of the hand and have a great sound with minimal effort! Egg shakers are often the first thing that will help a client have a “breakthrough.” For example, while working on impulse control, one of my clients would sit and hold onto two egg shakers at once and was able to shake the eggs for more than three minutes, compared to the classroom where the client threw everything within a second of being given an item. Thus maximizing this goal and engaging in other tasks such as color identification. The client could identify colors with the egg shakers without replication from others in the room!

Sound Shapes are lightweight, easy to carry, and have a good sound. They come in various primary colors, so they are perfect for color and shape identification and counting. Fun fact! You can also write words on the heads with a dry-erase marker to master word recognition or addition/subtraction!

If you are exploring mindfulness in the classroom, an Ocean Drum brings a soothing sound you’ll love. The ocean drum is great for releasing energy and bringing calm to the listener. The comforting ocean sound helps students “be in the moment.”

These are just a few recommendations for students with varying needs. West Music can help you explore with a consultant on possibilities for specific populations. Looking for more accessible and inclusive tools for your classroom? Explore drumming, adaptive instruments, and movement props in previous parts of our series.