A GOVERMENT committee
has heard how music has significantly helped
schoolchildren with autism in Buncrana.
However, it also heard that funding to employ the
Scoil Iosagain music therapist runs out in July.
Scoil Iosagain principal, Sinead McLaughlin, music
therapist Louise Kelly, teacher Doreen Friel and
parent Angela Tourish were among a delegation
including music academics who went before the
Oireachtas education committee on Thursday.
Professor Jane Edwards and Prof Michael O
Suilleabhain from the University of Limerick and
representatives from the Cork Institute of
Technology were among the group who made a joint
presentation outlining the value of music therapy
both as a career and a clinical intervention for
people with special needs.
Government spokesperson on education and science
Senator Cecilia Keaveney said the meeting was an
important one.
"The academic side of the contribution may have been
made very effectively by the representatives from UL
and CIT but the true chord was struck with the
personal stories from the Buncrana delegation about
music therapy in action.
“Hearing that music therapy can aid communication
and concentration skills for children with autism is
maybe a bland statement until it is given a human
face and a personal dimension," she said.
"The work going on at national level to recognise
the profession is one issue that needs to continue
to be advanced and I intend to continue using every
avenue open to me to extol the virtues of this
medical intervention.
"On the practical level too however, Scoil Iosagain
has only the funding secured for the music therapist
until July. I have asked and have had the committee
agree to support this project by writing, as a
committee to the Minister for Education on the
matter." Senator Keaveney said it was incumbent upon
the State to look favourably on the application.
"If special education representatives do not see
their role as supporting successful measures such as
these, then it is surely time to review special
educational interventions entirely," she added. |
