New Research Says Music Fights Symptoms of Disabilities

Children Increased Grade Point Average, Stopped Violent Behavior, and Improved Self Esteem

Towaco, NJ, September 04, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Study Finds Music Helps With Autism, ADHD, and More.

Music can help children and adults with autism and other disorders, to stop violent behavior and cutting, and can help them develop cognition, social skills, and grade point average. This according to a new research study conducted by the Woodland Grange School in Surrey, England, and the non-profit organization Drums and Disabilities, (D.A.D.) in Towaco, New Jersey.

The New Jersey Department of Education is distributing the results of the groundbreaking study to New Jersey educators in September 2014, in an effort to help New Jersey teachers teach special needs students.

The study was conducted by David Ciauro (EdS, MA, LAC), Pat Gesualdo, President of the non-profit organization Drums and Disabilities (D.A.D.), Christopher Topple, and Colin Jenkinson, Head Teacher for the Woodland Grange School.

The U.S. Department of State, NYU Medical Center, St. Joseph’s University, New Jersey Cerebral Palsy Centers, and various school systems, mental health agencies and professionals in New Zealand, Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia, California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Serbia, and South Africa, have used the research to help special needs population fight disabilities.

“The study participants in our school have stopped violent behavior, self-mutilation, and have achieved a 100% attendance record, as a result of this groundbreaking Drum Therapy research,” says Head Teacher Colin Jenkinson. “Their parents and I are in total disbelief of their success.”

“We find the Drum Therapy program to be a unique and effective method that is used to tap into our children’s attention, focusing, an organizational difficulties,” says Dr. Phyllis Lakin, past president of the New Jersey Psychological Association, and school psychologist for the Craig School, where the research program is part of the curriculum. “The program is interesting and exciting, and has much value and credibility!” says Regina Swierc, Rockaway School Director of Special Education.

For people with autism and certain disabilities, the synapses in the brain ineffectively communicate with each other. The researchers found that playing repeated patterns of music rhythms can re-train these synapses, and can help these people establish the correct synapse pathways. Playing repeated patterns of music rhythms which the researchers called “Drum Therapy,” helped the study participants to re-train the synapses in the brain, and develop physical and cognitive functioning.

Several clinical research studies prove that music and drumming are a beneficial treatment for disabilities. To test this theory, the investigators tested 5 children ages 9 to 15, and 4 adults between the ages of 30 and 55. The participants had autism, O.D.D., dyslexia, and violence and behavioral issues. The investigators measured the participant’s ability and behavior, and exposed them to specific methods of drumming they called “Drum Therapy.” All the participant’s abilities were severely limited since birth. One adult, Johnny was extremely limited non-verbal, severely low functioning with no coordination, and needed assistance walking. One adult, Larry had autism, one adult, Joe had violence issues and was low functioning, one adult, Andre had O.D.D., three children had A.D.D. and dyslexia, one child had violence issues and engaged in frequent self-mutilation, two of the children had violence issues and low school attendance records.

Six months into the study, the limited verbal adult Johnny could count to 10 out loud, and do cross opposite hand and foot patterns at the same time. The children with A.D.D. and dyslexia improved their retention and coordination. The children completely stopped self-mutilation and violent behavior, and achieved a 100% school attendance record.

“Drum Therapy was a beneficial treatment for the study participants,” Gesualdo says. "The results are promising that it might be used as an appropriate, alternative therapy for other disabilities, which can help people live happier and healthier through music."

About D.A.D.

Drums and Disabilities (D.A.D.) is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit research organization that helps children and adults fight disabilities with Drum Therapy programs. Psychologists, special needs therapists, and teachers use the program in school systems, mental health facilities, and community centers on a Global basis, to help the special needs population develop physical and cognitive functioning, and live happier and healthier lives.

For more information, please contact D.A.D., at 973-725-5150, or info@dadprogram.org.

Official D.A.D. website:
www.dadprogram.org
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