Disabilities in the

Music Classroom
Ryan Boyer
Learning Disabilities
How can learning disabilities affect
students?

1. Dyslexia 2. ADHD
● Not reading the correct notes
● Difficulty changing clefs ● Inability to focus on tough passages for long
● Difficulty reading all the information of periods of time
the page ● Trouble remembering what was worked on in the
last lesson
How can we change the classroom to help
students with learning disabilities?

● Allowing time for those students to Applying IDEA principles and UDL concepts
work through passages on their own to make multiple means for all students to
● Teaching practices to help learn
get to the same objective is the ultimate
music like color coding dynamics or
melodies goal for a cohesive ensemble
● Playing an audio clip or
demonstrating the passage for the
student
Physical Disabilites
How can physical disabilities affect the
students?

● Inability to hold the instrument ● Inability to form the embouchure to

Whether through a missing appendage or a
motor dysfunction like Cerebral Palsy, many
adaptations are available
One such is for trombone where a student
with Cerebral Palsy was given attachments
to the instrument to allow him to both hold
the instrument and move the slide
play the instrument
If a student is unable to form their mouth
into the correct embucher there are plenty
of instruments that don't require you to.
Orchestra or percussion instruments all
allow for these students to still participate.
Another Way
To Play

This website features many

different companies that
specialize in making adaptive
technology for students with
disabilities.

One such is the MERU

Instrument stand that can
attach to any percussion stand
and hold the instrument
Emotional Disturbances
Music Therapy

What is Music Therapy? What can it be used for?

From the American Music Therapy ● Promote Wellness

● Manage Stress
Association
● Alleviate Pain
● Express Feelings
“the clinical & evidence-based use of music
● Enhance Memory
interventions to accomplish individualized ● Improve Communication
goals within a therapeutic relationship by a ● Promote Physical Rehabilitation
credentialed professional who has completed ● and more
an approved music therapy program. Music
therapy interventions can address a variety of
healthcare & educational goals”
Implementing an Inclusive Classroom

With the knowledge we have about disabilities today, there is no excuse to turn a student
away for any disability. Music is for all people and with effort and dedication we can bring
every student into the music classroom and give them an opportunity to experience the joy
of music.
Resources

“American Music Therapy Association.” What Is Music Therapy? | What Is Music Therapy? | American
Music Therapy Association (AMTA), www.musictherapy.org/about/musictherapy/. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

British Dyslexia Association. “Music and Dyslexia.” British Dyslexia Association,

www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/adults/music-and-dyslexia-1#:~:text=It%20can%20be%20difficult%20for,
exams%2C%20lessons%20and%20rehearsals%20difficult. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

“Trombone Mount for Music Stand.” MERU Charity Shop, 3 Oct. 2023,
www.merushop.org/product/trombone-mount-for-music-stand/.

ValerieThomforde. “Meru Instrument Stands.” Another Way to Play, 13 Oct. 2018,

anotherwaytoplay.org/2018/10/13/meru-instrument-stands/.