Sensoryfriendly Concerts(TM) , An Opportunity To Celebrate Neurodiversity Through Community Music Therapy.

SensoryFriendly Concerts(TM) are facilitated by board certified music therapists and advocate for disability rights and the neurodiversity movement by providing “equal access to the fine arts” for people on the autism spectrum. Music therapy clients and autistic self-advocates also have the opportunity to perform in these events, in an environment that is respectful and accommodating. This new advent of a Community Music Therapy event proves to be a beneficial recreational activity for the entire family affected by autism. SensoryFriendly Concerts(TM) create a platform where the achievements of music therapy clients and autistic self advocates are acknowledged and celebrated, within the context of a fine arts concert venue. This atmosphere intends to promote the inclusion of disabled persons within society, to bring healing not only to the individual with a disability, but also to the social conditions within which the disabled person resides (Soshensky, 2011).

Board certified music therapists facilitate SensoryFriendly Concerts in their own local communities. The Facilitating Music Therapist (FMT) organizes and directs volunteers to help promote “musicing” behaviors from audience members. These volunteers are most commonly other music therapists, occupational and speech therapists and special educators. Parents and caregivers have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the concert, assisting their child or client only if necessary. Between pieces performed by hired, professional musicians, music therapy clients and autistic self advocates perform, thus promoting the respect and opportunity deserved by these individuals.

Accommodations will be discussed, such as volume levels, lighting and risks of using overhead sound systems. Noise-reduction headphones (donated by the local Autism Society chapter of the presenters) are provided in these events, as well as an adjacent “quiet room” with sensory manipulatives. Those with hypo-sensitivity to sound are encouraged to come up on stage during the performance, where the volume is louder. Other provisions for promoting engagement with live music are foam blocks and scarves, for those who need extra tactile stimulation for their listening experience.The importance of hiring performers that employ vibroacoustic instruments, such as upright bass and grand pianos, will be explained, as well as the training required for these performing artists about the behaviors they may encounter during the performance.

Surveys are included in every concert program, so that audience members can answer a few short questions and give feedback. Data is then tabulated from the surveys, which helps to shape and define future SensoryFriendly Concerts.

SensoryFriendly Concerts further define the concept of Community Music Therapy, as Brynjulf Stige (2002) suggests, community is “in many cases no longer being just a context to work in but also to work with.” Such community events become a definitive example of Community Music Therapy by promoting social acceptance of individuals on the autism spectrum and also by promoting social health to people with disabilities who would not typically be socially welcome in formal concert venues, thus creating “equal access to the fine arts.”

Soshensky, R. (2011). Everybody is a star: recording, performing, and community music therapy. Music Therapy Perspectives, 29 (1), 23-30.

Stige, B. (2002). The relentless roots of community music therapy. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 2 (3).