Music Therapy Is Therapy

06/02/2025

Tomorrow is the last day to submit your music therapy story to Dr Duckett’s review!

Remember that debacle late last year? In this quick update, Sara looks at the independent review into the pricing structure of art and music therapy, the NDIA’s proposed (and now paused) changes and the role of art and music therapy.

03/02/2025

Are you a music therapist, participant, parent, caregiver, or ally?

Dr Stephen Duckett, the independent reviewer overseeing the music therapy consultation, is seeking submissions as part of the decision-making process.

The submissions are due by 7 Feb 2025!

See more info and how to submit one here: https://www.austmta.org.au/news-item/18109/beat-the-drum-for-music-therapy

Thank you for your support!

01/01/2025

Parents of Deaf Children (PODC) is opposing changes to music therapy funding. Read more here.

Parents of Deaf Children (PODC) is opposing proposed changes to access for music therapy in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and is urging people to sign a petition in protest.

19/12/2024

Another powerful story, demonstrating how music impacts on a neurological level in powerful ways.

President Joe Biden reached out to, and fist-bumped, former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords at the White House Rose Garden Thursday -- A moment to mark ...

17/12/2024

Important update: independent review into pricing for music and art therapy.

The Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) today acknowledges the appointment of Dr Stephen Duckett AM to review the evidence case and pricing of music therapy under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This follows extensive advocacy from our association on behalf of participants, families and our members in recent weeks.

Music therapy is a sector dominated by qualified professional women. Given this, we are disappointed that Minister for the NDIS of Australia Hon. Bill Shorten MP did not appoint women to the review panel alongside Dr Duckett or substantially defer changes to pricing guidelines to help ease anxiety across our sector in the lead-up to the holiday season. However, we will be prudent and thorough in our collaboration with the review process.

To do so adequately, we have requested that Dr Duckett provide copies of the evidence the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) relied on in making its original mistaken decision. Furthermore, we request that he meet with participants, their families and our members to hear first-hand about the positive, transformative work of music therapy professionals across Australia.

The AMTA Board of Directors is currently reviewing the government's terms of reference. We will provide a further update and advice to our members and stakeholders shortly, following further consideration. In the meantime, further information relating to the review can be found in the statement on the NDIS website: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10530-independent-review-ndis-funded-music-and-art-supports



📷 Text: "Music therapy belongs in the NDIS". A child and an adult use an electronic keyboard together.

06/12/2024

Important update from Australian Music Therapy Association

Thanks to everyone for their hard work and support!

We look forward to hearing more.

The AMTA today had a constructive discussion with Minister Bill Shorten in relation to its concerns on behalf of thousands of participants, their families and music therapy professionals.

The Minister acknowledged the importance of music therapy as an evidence-based support and the critical work that our members do to improve functional outcomes for participants. We acknowledge the Minister gave us a fair hearing.

In a positive step forward, Minister Shorten acknowledged the importance and need for a fair and transparent review of music therapy to maintain and ensure the quality of therapeutic services being provided to participants under the NDIS.

We look forward to continuing to be consulted on this issue, including the development of a Terms of Reference for any review and input into a review panel that includes representation by women. The AMTA maintains that more time should be provided to enable a comprehensive review, consultation and decision making. On this basis we maintain there should be no changes to the pricing guidelines until at least July 2025. We anticipate further detail, from the Minister, shortly.

The AMTA is committed to the long-term sustainability of the NDIS and will always put the interests of the participants, their families and our membership first.

📷 Dr Grace Thompson RMT, Minister Bill Shorten MP and Monica Zidar RMT

04/12/2024

This is INCREDIBLE! More news coverage about the funding changes - listen to Christian’s music therapy story. Thanks for sharing!

04/12/2024

💡Advocacy resource: Why Music Works - Infographic.

As Registered Music Therapists, it can be hard to communicate all the powerful clinical impacts of Music Therapy.

We KNOW Music Therapy works. Not just because we have studies of music therapy in action. But also because we understand how music impacts the brain.

🧠 As allied-health practitioners, we know that music affects the brain in a BIG way. Applying the right musical stimuli, can have an immediate and long-lasting therapeutic impact on things like brain development, effectiveness of rehabilitation and much, much more.

Here are 4 key working mechanisms you can reference, when explaining why music therapy works to support functional outcomes.

⬇️⬇️⬇️ Comment below if this is a useful resource.

If you’d like the list of references used on this infographic, please send us a direct message.



[Alt text: an infographic image coloured red, neon blue, white and black details four key working mechanisms. The infographic is titled ‘Why Music Works’ with subheading’ Impacts of musical stimuli on the nervous system.’ It then reads ‘Registered music therapists shape the musical exercises they use based on an understanding of how music affects the human brain and body.’ The four working mechanisms mentioned include rhythmic entrainment, patterned information processing, differential neurological processing and affective-aesthetic response: motivation, arousal & emotion. At the bottom of the infographic, text reads ‘Join us as we advocate to keep music therapy funded as an NDIS therapeutic support. For the full list of references, contact our page. Search ‘Music Therapy is Therapy’.]

03/12/2024

Today is International Day of People with Disability - Australia (IDPwD). This year's theme is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”

The Australian Music Therapy Association is proud to support the 5.5 million Australians who identify as having a disability.

We encourage everyone to celebrate the skills and leadership of people with disability and we advocate for a truly equitable and inclusive society.

On this IDPwD, let’s amplify the voices, skills and leadership of people with disability. Let’s listen and take action to include people with disability in all that we do.

📷 International Day of People with Disability logo

03/12/2024

👁️ See how music therapy can support children’s development. Thanks for sharing Sound Expression!

Bill Shorten NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme

We’d like to introduce you to our music therapy groups – we have a number of them and this one is run on Saturdays and comprises children aged around 6 to 8 ...

03/12/2024

Why music therapy?

Listen to Melodica Music Therapy explain the ‘why’ for one of her participants.

Please continue to post your music therapy videos, posts and stories for us to share with Bill Shorten NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme

03/12/2024

🎥 Watch this video of E talking about music therapy, and see “how music therapy can support and amplify the voices of neurodivergent children.”

Thanks for sharing Music Beat Australia!

Australian Music Therapy Association Bill Shorten NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme