Young man with autism explores ocean drum. Used with permission.
Stepping Stones Music Therapy seeks to create an atmosphere of joy and laughter in which to do serious work using evidence-based music interventions.
Serving Anacortes and surrounding communities, using music to promote wholeness– where there is no voice, music opens doors to promote communication; where there are halting steps and weak muscles, music provides the structure to move with confidence; where the brain has suffered injury or is developmentally immature, music helps to organize the brain’s processes. Populations served: adults with special needs; memory care; medical settings.
What a fun way to work on fine motor muscles! (Photo by Christine Buffalow; used with permission.)
- For those with special needs, Stepping Stones uses music to promote communication and social skills, to strengthen motor skills, to aid in cognitive abilities, seeking to maximize the abilities of the individual and to support them in life skills.
- For those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, engaging memory and supporting being in the present through musical interactions.
- Stepping Stones also has an interest in Medical Music Therapy. This may be using music to reduce anxiety, alleviate pain, to promote relaxation and making meaning. Music can be used to support physical rehabilitation using the power of music to entrain muscles, and the brain’s plasticity to engage new areas of the brain to compensate for damaged areas.