Does Music Hold the Key to ADHD Treatment?

Music is known to activate the brain in a myriad of ways. For children and even adults with ADHD, music therapy has been found to bolster their focus and attention, as well as reduce hyperactivity and strengthen social skills. Children with ADHD are therefore able to use music to train their brains, enhancing their self-control and ability to focus in the classroom and at home. Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disability that is typically diagnosed at a young age. It often results from problems during childbirth, trauma as well as other circumstantial issues. Some of the things that ADHD patients struggle with include speech, attention, memory and hearing – elements that are vital to normal education and learning. Some medical professionals who make diagnosis for ADHD conclude the learning levels decrease for individuals as they age, making it impossible for some to move past grade school from an education perspective. Via CMUSE The good news is that music education helps to strengthen the abilities that are compromised as a result of ADHD, and it all starts with listening. Listening is the fundamental element in all of education. Training someone to listen and respond to what they hear impacts their ability to focus and concentrate. Listening is as essential to music education as the alphabet is to grammar school. Music is like steroids for the brain. It builds and strengthens the areas of the brain responsible for reading, math, language, and problem solving (among others). Music lessons for those with ADHD have been proven to counter the negative effects associated with the disorder including self-esteem, concentration, memory, and impulse control. Via CMUSE According to experts, music provides structure. It is limited to time, with a definite beginning, middle and end. Structure is critical for the ADHD brain as it struggles to regulate itself to stick to a linear path, so that it is able to plan, anticipate and react. During music therapy, patients learn to listen, anticipate changes, take turns and pick up on cues in way they would otherwise be unable to do. The benefits of music for children with ADHD are not just theoretical. Cheryl Mow, a music therapist with experience working with special needs students at Brightstars, a program that aims to provide holistic education for children with ADHD, autism and learning challenges. Music therapy may help to promote wellness by managing stress, enhancing memory, and improving communication. Music is a fantastic way to encourage eye contact, speech, cognition, group interaction and more. Via Brightstars Brandon was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of six. He also suffered from severe learning disabilities. Experts predicted he would have difficulty learning, focusing and concentrating, and that it was unlikely that he would graduate from high school. College was not an option. But Brandon’s mother, Sharlene, was not easily discouraged. I decided to take the experts' conclusions as one possibility, and not get too discouraged. I researched ADHD and learning disabilities — asking questions and aggressively networking. I [...]

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