The importance of music education and resources for music therapy are sometimes overlooked for students in special education and others with special needs. To see, hear and play musical instruments at school or in community programs is as important for each child in this generation as it has always been. Opportunities open up new avenues for individuals to show their talent and ability in performing as well as appreciation as an audience for other people's performances.

Children with disabilities have the same need to express themselves through music and art as their mainstream peers. Like everyone else, they may be able to express more through art than they communicate through words, and it may be more likely that they will be 'heard.'

Down Syndrome and the Acting Gene
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art34198.asp

Read about Melissa Riggio at National Geographic Kids:
I Have Down Syndrome - Know Me Before You Judge Me
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Stories/PeoplePlaces/Downsyndrome

Download Melissa Riggio's Songs,
Love is a Potion
and
The Ring
http://www.riggio.net/music.htm

Meeting the Needs of Children with Disabilities - Music Therapy and Music Education
http://www.musictherapy.org

Family Village Resources:
www.familyvillage.wisc.edu

Music Therapy - Family Village

Family Village - Art, Music, and Theatre

Therapy and Rehabilitation

Dance - Family Village

Music for People with Disabilities - Family Village Bookstore

Dr. Phil's show The Power of Music
www.drphil.com

BellaOnline Learning Disabilities Site - Music,Art,Rhythm
http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/5254.asp

Piano and Organ Keyboard Decals
www.mileskimball.com

Down Syndrome in Arts and Media - Talent, Referrals, Consultation, Advocacy
http://www.dsiam.org

An Actor's Life for Me by Ewan Marshall ~ Ouch! BBC Article February 2008
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/closeup/acting.shtml

Quirky Kids - Understanding and Helping Your Child Who Doesn't Fit In- When to Worry and When Not to Worry - browse at Amazon.com

Local music stores, bookstores, and department stores have a wide variety of children's CDs, DVDs, books and instruments that are also found at Amazon.com

Musical Activities for Children with Significant Learning Disabilities

Music - Babies
Children Making Music

Amazon.com - Routines and Transitions: A Guide for Early Childhood Professionals

Music Therapy

Karaoke Machines at Amazon.com

Children's Karaoke

Disney Karaoke

iPods

Special Needs Children - AStore at Amazon.com

Ableplay.org provides a toy rating system and information about toys that are fun and useful for children with disabilities is a great resource for families, educators, therapists and anyone who works or plays with babies and children. Ableplay.org was developed by the National Lekotek Center
http://www.ableplay.org

For those in Australia and UK:
" The Music in Me " is an international award-winning documentary about the Sydney dance troupe the Merry Makers, all of whom have intellectual or multiple disabilities. Lots of people with Down syndrome belong to Merry Makers. It will be screened across Australia a special on Andrew Denton's " Enough Rope " on Monday 9th June 2008, 9.35 pm, on ABC1.

Music Education - Every Voice Heard
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46397.asp

Art and Self Expression for Children with Special Needs

Friendship and Inclusion for Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48700.asp

Inclusive Education and the Culture of Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44827.asp

Teens with Disabilities - Transition Planning
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33519.asp

Thoughts From the Middle of the Night
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32533.asp

Is Diversity Like A New Box of Crayons?
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5144.asp

Universal Design for Learning - Access to General Education Curriculum
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art50363.asp

Inclusion of Children with Disabilities Benefits Classmates
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art6157.asp

Speech Therapy, Feeding Therapy and Early Intervention
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art47296.asp

Recess Skills
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art432.asp

Finding Strollers, Walkers and Wheelchairs for Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art9507.asp