Using Music to Help Children With Disabilities Play
By Occupational Therapy Now,Publication Date: September/October 2002
Description of a computer program for children with physical disabilities which translates movements into music. Developed at Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre in Toronto, Canada, the Movement-to-Music (MTM) computer program enables children with physical disabilities to learn that they can impact their environment. This in turn can enhance these children’s development of physical, cognitive and social skills and reduce their dependency on others for play. The MTM system captures the image of a child through a small camera attached to a computer. In response to the child’s movement, the program produces pleasing musical sounds. The real-time picture of the child is displayed on the computer screen. The MTM system detects a wide range of movements, from raising an eyebrow to waving an arm. The digital software engine generates music based on characteristics of the child’s movement. The technology allows children to have independent and self-directed play activities with the music they create as an end product.
Published by: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (Website:http://www.caot.ca)
Link to text: http://www.otworks.ca/otworks_page.asp?pageid=756
