Working in music with adolescents who experience disability

Abstract

Working in music with adolescents who experience disability to support their health and wellbeing involves creating opportunities for their emotional expression and successful interaction with others. Music is a resource that can highlight their capabilities, yet they might need the support of a music therapist to maximize the positive affordances that music can provide. In this chapter, two contrasting examples of music therapy work, with adolescents who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and those who have intellectual disability, are offered to demonstrate how young people have engaged with music therapy group processes and in turn developed positive relationships and self-identities. Music making can be a motivating and enjoyable activity for adolescents with disabilities, and a powerful resource to support their personal growth, autonomy, and sense of wellbeing.