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Additional therapies

 

Individuals with Williams syndrome may benefit from non-traditional therapies as well as traditional therapies. Several of the most common non-traditional therapies are listed below. Many of these therapies have proven to be beneficial for some children with Williams syndrome.

Note that non-traditional therapies are generally not provided by school districts and there can be resistance toward including these services in your child's IEP. Music Therapy (MT), however, is gaining acceptance in many school districts and there are precedents to help you obtain MT as part of your child's IEP..

 

Music therapy

Music Therapy is gaining acceptance in many school districts nationally, and the direct link between Williams syndrome and musicality can help you obtain MT for your child.

To see articles that can help you obtain services, go to the section on Music and Williams Syndrome here.

Music therapy involves teaching and reinforcing all nature of other cognitive and physical abilites through the use of music. Music therapy does NOT rely on musical ability and does NOT teach children to play an instrument. It utilizes a child's natural love of music to help them improve other tasks.

Music therapy should be provided by a licensed Music Therapist, as certified by the American Music Therapy Association. You can obtain more information, including the list of certified Music therapists in your area by contacting the AMTA directly.

Music Therapy is recognized by the Department of Education as a "related service" under the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-97).

 

Hippotherapy (horseback riding)

Hippotherapy can have benefits to children with Williams syndrome, as with any child with a disability. Hippotherapy has had positive results reported by parents of children with WS.

Per the American Hippotherapy Association:

    "Hippotherapy is a term that refers to the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment tool by Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists to address impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities in patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. Hippotherapy is used as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes."

Therapeutic riding addresses self esteem and emotional well-being as well.

For more information on Hippotherapy, vist the website of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).

 

Sound based therapies

Sound based therapies have proven helpful for some children with Williams syndrome. There are various forms of sound based therapies available and the WSA does not endorse any single therapy doctrine. Two of the most comon sound based therapies are listed here.

Auditory Integration Therapy (AIT)

    This therapy was originally designed for individuals with autism; however, individuals with dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, and other disabilities have also received AIT. The intended purpose of AIT is to reduce hypersensitivity to sounds and to remediate listening difficulties.

    For more information, see:

  • Auditory Integration therapy

The Tomatis program

    This therapy/program employs an electronic listening device in different, individually tailored treatment stages. The Tomatis program does not focus on hearing, but with the functional, social, and psychological factors that bear on listening, communication, language, motor control, learning and health in general.

    For more information, see:

  • The Tomatis Method

 
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