Why Music Therapy?
Music has a unique ability to reach parts of the brain that spoken language can't. It activates multiple neural networks at once — including those responsible for movement, emotion, memory, and communication. For people with disabilities, this means music therapy can help build skills in a way that feels natural, engaging, and emotionally safe.
At Flinders Music Therapy, we use music intentionally to support everyday living. Whether it's a toddler learning to take turns through musical play, a teenager expressing emotions through songwriting, or an adult using rhythm to regulate mood — music becomes a tool for growth, connection, and confidence.
The Neuroscience Behind Music Therapy
Music therapy activates multiple brain systems at once — including those responsible for emotion, movement, memory, and communication — making it especially effective for people with disabilities. Neuroscience shows it can strengthen neural pathways, support regulation, and enhance learning in ways that traditional therapies may not.
How Music Engages the Brain
Auditory and Motor Coordination
Rhythm and movement stimulate the motor cortex, supporting gross and fine motor skills — especially useful for people with cerebral palsy or developmental delays. Research shows that rhythmic auditory stimulation can improve gait, balance, and coordination by synchronizing neural firing patterns in motor pathways.
(Thaut et al., 2015, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences)
Language and Communication
Singing and musical interaction activate Broca's and Wernicke's areas, which are involved in speech production and comprehension. This is particularly beneficial for people with autism or speech delays. Melodic intonation therapy has been shown to help people with aphasia regain speech by engaging preserved right-hemisphere language networks.
(Schlaug et al., 2008, Neuropsychologia)
Emotion and Regulation
Music modulates activity in the limbic system (including the amygdala and hippocampus), helping people manage anxiety, frustration, and emotional overwhelm. Music listening and creation can reduce cortisol levels, lower heart rate, and promote the release of dopamine and endorphins, supporting emotional regulation and wellbeing.
(Koelsch, 2014, Nature Reviews Neuroscience)
Memory and Executive Function
Structured musical experiences can improve attention, sequencing, and working memory — key skills for learning and daily functioning. Musical training has been linked to enhanced cognitive control, including improved inhibitory control, task switching, and planning abilities, particularly in developing brains.
(Moreno et al., 2011, Cerebral Cortex)
Music therapy is evidence-based.
The Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) provides research-backed guidance on how music therapy supports key areas of need for people with disability — from communication and emotional regulation to sensory and social development.
How We See Results at Flinders Music Therapy
At Flinders Music Therapy, we understand that every person's journey is unique. Progress doesn't always look like a checklist — sometimes it's a smile during a familiar song, a moment of calm after frustration, or the confidence to try something new. We work alongside individuals and families to create meaningful change that extends beyond our sessions.
Music therapy doesn't replace other therapies — it works alongside them. And because it's engaging, joyful, and non-threatening, people often participate more willingly. We celebrate every step forward, knowing that small shifts can lead to lasting change.
Ready to Get Started?
Book a chat with us to discuss how music therapy can support you or your loved one.
Music therapy for adults and children. NDIS funded, evidence-based and genuinely engaging and rewarding.
Unit 501/88A George Street, Hornsby NSW
Home visits available across Greater Sydney
Phone: 0404 052 269
Follow us on Instagram