Soundbeam for special education and music therapy

Soundbeam has been most extensively and thoroughly evaluated with children with Severe Learning Difficulties and Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.

However, the benefits to children and adults with a range of conditions and syndromes including Autism, ADHD, dementia, Down’s Syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome, depression, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimer’s Disease and challenging behaviours, have also been documented.

Soundbeam provides a medium through which even individuals who have profound physical or learning impairments can become expressive and communicative using music and sound. The sense of control, agency and independence which this provides can be a powerful motivator, stimulating learning and interaction in other areas.

Soundbeam is identified as a key resource by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in assisting children with learning disabilities to attain learning targets as prescribed by the National Curriculum for Music. Its success rests upon two factors: the sensitivity of the beam means that even the most unreachable or immobilised individuals can ‘play’ independently; secondly, electronic technology makes available a huge pallette of possible soundworlds, releasing the player from the traditional limitations of percussion-based activit