Since 2013, GITC educators have been exploring the strong connections between singing, playing ukuleles, and classroom music making in students with minimal verbal skills. It isn't unusual for kids with sensory integration disorders to have difficulty in this area. But when we started hearing from GITC trained teachers that their autistic students had suddenly experienced miraculous break-throughs as a direct result of singing each day, we started looking for research to help us understand why. We also spoke with the students themselves about what had helped them move from silence to speaking in their GITC classrooms.

Then in July, we invited music therapist Julie Guy of the Music Therapy Center of California to present a lecture and demonstration at our first adaptive music conference for special educators. This is a full length video of her excellent presentation!

As it turns out, music therapists have known for quite sometime that music when used strategically can be exceptionally helpful in quite a number of ways. Whether music is used to calm someone who is distressed, or to shift attention away from something disturbing and refocus a student on a pleasing set of musical sounds and patterns, it can bring relief.

But what is it about songs themselves that can help non-verbal or low-verbal learners break the silence? At GITC, we have a lot of experience but have yet to see research that proves out what we see with our own eyes and hear with our ears. We hope to be involved in such research one day. But the bottom line is this;

1. Music is a form of organized sound. It makes sense out of chaos. The rhythm patterns are repetitive and they regulate time; the melodies engage the ears and capture attention, and these are also repetitive.  So for a student who is sound-sensitive and overwhelmed, when their inner environment becomes painfully chaotic, a song can offer relief. It can impart order, predictability and peace into an ocean of noise. 

2. Songs insert language into that rhythmic pulse and melodic contour. In simple folk songs, certain words occur often, especially in the choruses of songs. These "high frequency words" come at predictable moments and allow students to anticipate their occurrence each time. We think this becomes a form of brain training that naturally builds vocabulary. More than that, the predictability and practice of these high frequency words instills confidence in the student, bolstering their sense of control. When they have heard the song enough times, it is embedded in their memories and they find they are able to recite language accurately. 

3. Audiation is the act of hearing music in one's own mind without physically listening to it from an outside source. When we memorize a piece of music or a song, we can listen in the privacy of our own minds without hearing the music performed live or through external media. We own it! For a student with minimal verbal skills to be in a singing classroom, they hear certain songs at school many times. When they leave school, the songs stay with them. This unconscious and perhaps involuntary practice of songs (or "earworms") may be "silent singing" for a while, but for some kids, a break through happens when they suddenly find themselves opening their mouths and letting the music out.

Our founder interviewed one child who spoke for the first time in 3rd grade. She asked the girl what had prompted her to begin to speak. The child responded that she discovered that she liked the sound of her singing voice. When our founder asked how she knew that, the girl answered that she had started humming along in class. No one else could hear her, but SHE could. From that experience, she began to sing words, and in time, to allow others to hear her. Once she could manage this, she simply made a transition to speaking. 

4. We believe that adding an accompaniment instrument to singing, especially a rhythmic one like guitar or ukulele, brings a great deal of support to the singing process and may speed the acquisition of verbal skills. Why? The ukulele and guitar provide a set of guiding pitches with a strong tonal root. The young singer can rely on these pitches to frame the notes in a song and offer musical steps on the melodic ladder. If you can hear the difference between low and high, and from there interpret the sequence of pitches between them, you have a musical framework. You can train your ear to hear the differences and your voice to match them. It just takes repetition, listening and time.

We are also pretty certain that strumming these instruments regulates the body's involuntary actions such as heart rate and breathing. Some studies show that music has the power to decrease stress by slowing down the heart rate. If you strum strings to a steady beat and sing in a way that locks into it, you may be improving your mental health by generating brain chemicals that elevate the spirit and give a sense of joy and satisfaction. We are sure these things deserve study.

So while we see all of this going on with students, we cannot provide conclusive research about it- yet. But we can share with you a few articles about work being done in the field along these lines- or related ones. Please take a few minutes to check them out.

First, please have a look at this article. It first appeared in the 2016, volume 4 issue of ARI's Autism Research Review International newsletter. 

"AMMT (technique called Auditory-Motor Mapping Training) combines “sung” speech with the use of specially tuned drums in order to build new connections in the brain. In the procedure, a therapist sings two-syllable words or phrases, using a different pitch for each syllable, while simultaneously tapping on a drum tuned to the same two pitches. Children first listen and then participate in speaking and drumming. The final goal is for the children to produce the words or phrases independently."  https://www.autism.com/speech_training

Next, please have a look at the amazing research coming from Northwestern University's Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory. Dr. Nina Kraus and her team have been studying the role of music in reading for many years and her studies are easy to digest through excellent video presentations. http://www.brainvolts.northwestern.edu/. One visit to their homepage gives you access to a feast of important studies.

We will be adding more articles over the coming weeks to share with anyone interested in the role of music in supporting students with minimal verbal skills to learn to express themselves more comfortably and expressively. If you have articles you wish to send us to add to the list, please drop our executive director a line!

It's time to start thinking about teacher training classes.  You can register for courses (including classes with details to be announced) by using the registration link below.

(https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GITCregistration) 

Alabama
City: Mobile, Alabama
Instructor: Kate MacMahon
Instructor Email: kjmac01@msn.com
Class Location: U.S.A. Children's and Women's Hospital, 1700 Center St, Mobile, AL 36604
Course Level: Beginner- for medical educators, social workers and staff
Day: TBA
Dates: Week of October 1
​Time: TBA
Arizona
City: Phoenix, AZ
Instructor: Gerry DeLaTorre
Instructor Email: gerrygitc@live.com
Class Location: Desert View Elementary School, 8621 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85020
Course Level: Beginner
Day: Mondays
Dates: Oct 8, 15, 22, 29 Nov 5, 26, Dec 4, 11
No Class Nov 12th (Veteran's Day) or Nov 19th (Thanksgiving break) 
Time: 4:30 - 5:30pm

California
Region: Northern CA
City: Oakland, CA
Instructor: Eli Wise
Instructor Email: eli.wise@ousd.org
Class Location: International Community School (ICS) music room, 2825 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94601
Course Level: Beginner Plus
Day: Tuesdays
Dates: Oct 9, 16, 23, Nov 6, 13, 27, Dec 4, 11
No class Halloween or Thanksgiving weeks
Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm


City: Weed, CA
Instructor: Nancy Longworth
Instructor Email: nlongworth@cot.net
Class Location: Butteville Elementary, 24512 Edgewood Rd, Weed, CA 96094
Course Level: TBA
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

Region: Central CA
City: Elk Grove, CA
Instructor: Michael Hemsworth
Instructor Email: michael@elkgrovemusiclessons.com
Class Location: Herburger Elementary School, 8670 Maranello Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95624
Course Level: Beginner Plus/Strummer
Day: Wednesdays
Dates: October 10, 17. 24, 31, November 7, 14, 28th
Time: 3:15 - 4:15pm

Course Level: Beginner
Location: Herburger Elementary School, 8670 Maranello Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95624
Day: Wednesdays
Dates: October 10, 17. 24, 31, November 7, 14, 28th
Time: 4:15 - 5:15pm

City: Mariposa, CA- On Hold Until January 2019
Instructor: Gail Dreifus
Instructor Email: gailpisces1@att.net
Class Location: at the instructor's home, address to be shared after enrollment.
Course Level: Beginner Plus
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

Region: Southern CA
City: Victorville, CA
Instructor: Brittan Egnozzi
Instructor Email: begnozzi@vasd.net
Class Location:  West Palms Conservatory, 14375 Del Gado Road, Victorville, CA
Course Level: TBA
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

City: Chatsworth, CA (Los Angeles)
Instructor: Terry Brockmann
Instructor Email: tab1815@lausd.net
Class Location:  Northwest Valley- school TBA
Course Level: Beginner/Beginner Plus
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

City: Mid City, CA (Los Angeles) 
Instructor: Heidi Swedberg
Instructor Email: heidiswedberg@gmail.com
Class Location: Saturn Street Elementary, 5360 Saturn St, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Course Level: Beginner
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

City: Panorama City, CA (Los Angeles)
Instructor: Kristen Herbert
Instructor Email: kristenherbert@gmail.com
Class Location: Chase Elementary, 14041 Chase St, Panorama City, CA 91402
Course Level: Beginner
Day: Wednesdays
Dates: TBA
Time: 3:30 - 4:30pm

City: San Pedro, CA (Los Angeles) ON HOLD TIL SPRING
Instructor: Aurora Thompson
Instructor Email: dawnmuse@hotmail.com
Class Location: TBA
Course Level: TBA
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

City: City Heights, CA (San Diego) - On Hold Until Winter
Instructor: TBD
Instructor Email: TBD
Class Location: Euclid Elementary, 4166 Euclid Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
Course Level: Beginner Plus/Strummers
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

City: Del Cerro, CA (San Diego)
Instructor: Jess Baron
Instructor Email: jess@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Class Location: Hearst Elementary, 6230 Del Cerro Blvd, San Diego, CA 92120
Course Level: Beginner Plus/Strummers
Day: Mondays
Dates: October 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, Dec 4, 11
No Class Nov 12th (Veteran's Day) or Nov 19th (Thanksgiving break) 
Time: 3:15 - 4:15pm.

City: Encinitas, CA (San Diego)
Instructor: Stephanie Lewis
Instructor Email: sclewis67@gmail.com
Class Location:  Encinitas Union School District Farm Lab, 441 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024
Course Level: Beginner Plus/Strummers
Day: Saturdays
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

City: La Mesa, CA (San Diego)
Instructor: Julia Cole & Juan Tidwell
Instructor Email: juliacole@cox.net & juanitomusic@yahoo.com
Class Location:  Murray Manor Elementary, 8305 El Paso St, La Mesa, CA 91942
Course Level: Beginner
Day: TBA
Dates: October, TBA
Time: TBA

City: Lemon Grove, CA (San Diego)
Instructor: Dan Decker
Instructor Email: ddecker@lemongrovesd.net
Class Location: San Miguel Elementary, 7059 San Miguel, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Course Level: Beginner Plus/Strummer
Day: Tuesdays
Dates: Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov 6, 13, 27
Time: 3:30 - 5:00pm

City: North Park, CA (San Diego)
Instructor: Bari Zwirn
Instructor Email: bzwirn@me.com
Class Location: Mid-City Community Music at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 4011 Ohio St, San Diego, CA 92104
Course Level: Strummers
Day: Thursdays
Dates: Oct 11, 18, 25, Nov 1, 8, 15
Time: 4:30 - 6:00pm

City: Paradise Hills, CA (San Diego)
Instructor: Jefferson Jay
Instructor Email: jeffersonjaye@yahoo.com
Class Location: Paradise Hills Elementary, 5816 Alleghany St, San Diego, CA 92139
Course Level: Beginner
Day: TBA
Dates: October, TBA
Time: TBA

City: Serra Mesa, CA (San Diego)
Instructor: Desiree Cera
Instructor Email: desireecamillecera@gmail.com
Class Location: Wegeforth Elementary, 3443 Ediwhar Ave, San Diego, CA 92123
Course Level: Beginner
Day: Mondays
Dates: October 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, 26, Dec 4, 11
No Class Nov 12th (Veteran's Day) or Nov 19th (Thanksgiving break) 
Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm
​
Colorado
City: Aurora, CO
Instructor: Joan Maute
Instructor Email: joanmaute@gmail.com
Class Location: Sunrise Elementary School, 4050 S Genoa Way, Aurora, CO 80013
Course Level: Beginner
Day: Thursdays
Dates: Oct 11, 25; Nov 1, 8, 15
Time: 3:45- 5:15 pm

City: Loveland, CO
Instructor: Joan Maute
Instructor Email: joanmaute@gmail.com
Class  Location: Van Buren Elementary School, 1811 W 15th St, Loveland, CO 80538
Course Level: TBA
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

​City: Longmont, CO
Instructor: Linda Emmermann
Instructor Email: lemusic55@aol.com
Class Location: TBA
Course Level: TBA
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

City: Pueblo, CO
Instructor: Joan Maute & Linda Emmermann
Instructor Email: joanmaute@gmail.com & lemusic55@aol.com
Class Location: TBA
Course Level: TBA
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

Kansas
City: Kansas City, KS
Instructor: Amanda Johnson
Instructor Email: amanda.guitarsintheclassroom@gmail.com
Class Location: Noble Prentis Elementary, 2337 S 14th St, Kansas City, KS 66103
Course Level: Beginner/Beginner Plus
Day: Mondays
Dates: September 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5
Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm

City: Olathe, KS
Instructor: Amanda Johnson
Instructor Email: amanda.guitarsintheclassroom@gmail.com
Class Location: Ridgeview Elementary, 1201 E Elm St, Olathe, KS 66061
Course Level: Beginner/Beginner Plus
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

Mississippi
City: Ocean Springs, MS
Instructor: Kate MacMahon
Instructor Email: kjmac01@msn.com
Class Location: Ocean Springs public schools
Course Level: Beginner
Dates: early 2019
Time: TBA

Missouri
City: Kansas City, MO
Instructor: Amanda Johnson, in development
Instructor Email: amanda.guitarsintheclassroom@gmail.com
Class Location: TBA
Course Level: TBA
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

North Carolina
City: Bolivia, NC (Brunswick County)
Instructor: Jeremy Matthews
Instructor Email:  mrmathews70@gmail.com
Class Location: Brunswick County District Office, Building K, 35 Referendum Dr NE, Bolivia, NC 28422
Course Level: Beginner Plus
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

City: Wilmington, NC (New Hanover County)
Instructor: Jeremy Matthews
Instructor Email: mrmathews70@gmail.com
Class Location: Anderson Elementary School, 455 Halyburton Memorial Pkwy, Wilmington, NC 28412
Course Level: Beginner Plus
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

Washington
City: Langley, WA (South Whidbey Island)
Instructor: Quinn Fitzpatrick
Instructor Email: quinn.guitarsintheclassroom@gmail.com
Class Location: South Whidbey Elementary School, 5380 Maxwelton Rd, Langley, WA 98260
Course Level: Beginner
Day: Tuesdays
Dates: October 9, 16, 23, Nov 6, 13, 27, Dec 4, 11
Time: 4:00 – 5:00pm

West Virginia
City: Bomont, WV (Clay County)
Instructor: Tracy Wayne
Instructor Email: twayne37@hotmail.com
Class Location: HE White Elementary School, Bomont Rd, Bomont, WV 25030
Course Level: Beginner
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

City: Clay, WV (Clay County)
Instructor: Tracy Wayne
Instructor Email: twayne37@hotmail.com
Class Location: TBA
Course Level: Beginner
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

City: Charleston, WV
Instructor: Kelley Laseter
Instructor Email: KelleyLaseter@gmail.com
Class Location: Clay Arts and Sciences Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301
Course Level: TBA
Day: TBA
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA

If you teach or assist students with special needs, this fun and fascinating 2 day conference with a marvelous kick off evening are for you! You can learn to drum, strum, sing and operate the cool BEAMZ interactive unit each day with sped experts in each discipline.  Travel through this musical journey with other educators who understant what it means to work with students with mild to moderate or moderate to severe "dis" or different abilities. We like to play to everyone's strengths and music makes this possible. Already know you want to sign up? Please register HERE.

The fun begins Friday evening at the famous Museum of Making Music in beautiful Carlsbad, CA. Never played ukulele before? Take a ukulele crash course, then tour the museum with old or new friends. The evening will continue with a talk from Jared Woosely of One Step Beyond (Phoenix) on leading jam bands for students with special needs and then we get to hear his teen band, Heartstrings perform. They are AMAZING!

Written by Sarah Cusey, GITC Programs Coordinator

​Jennifer originally started with GITC in 2010, after seeing an email sent to her school about the organization. She had grown up surrounded by music and even pursued various classes on different instruments, but hadn’t fulfilled her desire to play guitar until starting with GITC. She took a break after a year and a half with the organization, then rejoined with Rosanna 2 years ago.