Music Therapy Practices and Perspectives Regarding the Mental Health Needs of People With Intellectual Disabilities

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have a higher prevalence of mental health disorders and general mental health needs than neurotypical individuals; however, the music therapy research on addressing these needs is limited. The purpose of this study was to collect information through a qualitative survey regarding the clinical practices and perspectives of music therapists (MT-BCs) for supporting the mental health needs of individuals with IDs. The results from the 8 participants revealed that MT-BCs are aware of the presence of mental health needs, higher risk of trauma, differences in mental health needs, and the false assumptions related to ID and mental health, but there are personal gaps in knowledge regarding mental health needs. Participants believe that their role in supporting these needs is through promoting and aiding in self-expression, fostering connection, demonstrating the use of music for generalizable skills, and addressing needs in the moment, all while staying within their scope of practice. Participants work toward emotional skills and self-expression goals utilizing various music therapy techniques and adapting them based on the needs of the service users. Participants would like more education and discussion on this topic, the addressing of mental health needs in music therapy sessions and for MT-BCs to have a greater awareness of assumptions and biases related to ID and mental health. The researchers recommend future replications of this study, feasibility, and acceptability studies to test techniques stated and for the information from this study to be used to inform music therapy undergraduate educational requirements and continuing education opportunities.