The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Over the last four years, The Rebecca Center for Music Therapy has partnered with local school districts to provide group music therapy services for both middle school and high school aged students at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY. The program provides a social experience for the students in which they enjoy lunch amongst the college community in the café prior to the group sessions. In group sessions, a process-oriented experience is created to encourage the development of social-emotional functioning. Additionally, to meet the evolving needs of the older students, such as transitioning out of high school, a life skills program was developed that focused on job training and life skills development. Through collaborative programs with the Education, Nursing, Criminal Justice, Athletics, New Media, Library, and Student Affairs departments at Molloy College, neurodiverse high school students are exposed to varied activities within programs on campus. The premise behind the program aligns with the overarching goals of music therapy – social-emotional growth coupled with self-reflection and problem-solving opportunities within the group.

This presentation, conducted by a Psychologist and Music Therapist, will discuss a pilot program designed to assist neurodiverse high school students in their transition into adulthood. "Campus Connections" is a unique program in that the life skills component is coupled with the therapeutic aspects of the Rebecca Center for Music Therapy's developmental, relationship-based model. The weekly program consisted of joining a variety of different departments at Molloy College for job readiness and life skills experiences, as well as time to reflect on challenging moments for each individual and between group members. This focus of individual differences and a process-based approach allows for emotional readiness alongside job training to prepare for each student’s transition into adulthood.

Some of the magnificent collaborations were: Athletics, Nursing, New Media, Education, Student Affairs, Criminal Justice, and Library Services. We conclude with music therapy sessions to provide opportunities to further process the extent of the year within the context of collaborative musical experiences. The Rebecca Center also paired up with the Social Work department at the college in training undergraduate social work students that join the program weekly.

The focus of this presentation is to provide the audience with an example of a life skills program that encompasses a relationship-based and process-oriented approach. The consideration of individual-differences guided the therapeutic framework that couples the skills needed to guide the transition into adulthood. The presentation will also examine group process amongst its members which played out in a variety of contexts, such as conflict, problem-solving, friendship, connection to community and self-awareness and advocacy. Case examples and vignettes will be presented.