Adaptation of Soundpainting to Music Therapy for adults with intellectual disability.

Abstract

During the past five years, music therapy research for people with intellectual disabilities has focused mainly on developing social skills in children and adolescents. Still, only a few studies related to young patients and adults can be found in the discipline's main scientific journals.This paper features an intervention project in music therapy based on the adaptation of Soundpainting –composition and improvisation technique– for its use in group sessions with adults with intellectual disabilities. It results in the Conductor's Game, which is divided into two levels –basic and advanced– for patients with moderate to severe disability. Four main goals are worked on through this activity: self-perception and self-confidence, communication skills, creativity and the patient's wellness. Due to the short scope of the project –based on five sessions–it constitutes a starting point for studying the benefits of musical improvisation in adults with intellectual disabilities.