(858) 831‐0387San Diego Music Therapy School Specialists
Our Services
San Diego Music Therapy School Specialists
Since 1999, Coast Music Therapy has had the pleasure of working with more than 1,000 students in over 25 San Diego county school districts. Under the direction of music therapist and autism specialist Michelle Lazar, MA, MT-BC our team of Board Certified Music Therapists are passionate about helping children and teens with special needs shine.
As indicated in the California special education law, music therapy can be mandated as part of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) when found to be educationally necessary. Using music-assisted learning interventions, we help students make educational progress, access their learning environment, and integrate with peers of all ability levels.
IEP-Based Music Therapy
- Music therapy as a related service through the Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Consultation, direct intervention, demonstration, and development of resources to assist in educational progress
- Co-treatment with school speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, paraprofessionals, teachers, and other staff
- Assessment and evaluation to determine if music therapy is educationally required for a student
Music Therapy Trainings
Coast Music Therapy partners with schools, districts, and SELPAS to help school staff effectively integrate music as an educational tool.
Professional development workshops for Special Education in San Diego include:
- Preschool and Early Childhood Music Strategies
- Music for All: Music-Based Inclusion Strategies
- Music & Autism
- Rock On! Music as a Learning Tool in the Upper Grades
- Using Music with Students who have Multiple Disabilities
- Music & Technology for Special Education
- Tuned in to Learning music-assisted learning curriculum
Music-Assisted Learning Curriculum
Coast Music Therapy partners with schools, districts, and SELPAS to help school staff effectively integrate music as an educational tool.
Professional development workshops for Special Education in San Diego include:
- Preschool and Early Childhood Music Strategies
- Music for All: Music-Based Inclusion Strategies
- Music & Autism
- Rock On! Music as a Learning Tool in the Upper Grades
- Using Music with Students who have Multiple Disabilities
- Music & Technology for Special Education
- Tuned in to Learning music-assisted learning curriculum
Our Strengths
Music-Assisted Learning Curriculum
- Ability to tailor sessions to accommodate both verbal and pre-verbal learners
- Adaptability to help learners from toddlers through the teenage years
- Centrally located in the Mira Mesa neighborhood of San Diego in a complex that also offers speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, ABA services, and tutoring
- Expertise with diagnoses including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, Williams syndrome, learning disabilities, vision impairments, hearing impairments, speech/language impairments, neurologic disorders, and mental health challenges
Music Therapy Funding
IEP-Based Funding
Students with special needs who are failing to progress adequately in an existing educational program may qualify for IEP-funded music therapy services. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) regulations stipulate that music therapy qualifies for IEP funding only after a music therapist assesses and determines that music is not only useful, but necessary, in helping a learner to progress toward IEP goals. Numerous San Diego County school districts integrate Coast Music Therapy services, strategies, and curriculum into regular programming.
After-School Programs
While Coast Music Therapy does not offer services outside of the school/IEP setting, we welcome families with an interest in after-school music therapy to connect with San Diego-based Amplify Music Therapy.
Under the leadership of Vanessa Contopulos, MA, MT-BC (former Coaster!) Amplify Music Therapy provides private music therapy and adapted music lessons in our former Mira Mesa location. You can also find a wealth of other top-notch services in the buildng including Crimson Center for Speech & Language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, ABA services, and more.
