MUSIC THERAPY AS A HOLISTIC APPROACH

This abstract summarizes a quantitative and a qualitative study that explored the typology of activities in music therapy for the inclusion of children with special educational needs. The aim of this research study is to test the possible relationship between musical acoustics and vocal discrimination in children of typical development and in children with special educational techniques of preschool and primary school age, as well as in comparison with each other. Moreover, to offer a thorough understanding of music therapy in order to explore how general school teachers perceive and approach the integration of music therapy within a single inclusive school environment. Data were collected through demographic questionnaires, assessments of music audibility, phonemic discrimination tests and semi-structured interviews. Notably, we utilized the L-a-T-o Criterion, a psychometric test tailored for the Greek language, alongside Gordon's Elementary Measures of Music Audibility. The findings of the research revealed that there is a positive impact of music in education and well-being of children, particularly those with special needs. Differences among groups were established (Typology), and also the research demonstrated the educators' positive attitudes toward integrating music therapy into the school curriculum. Quantitative results supported qualitative claims about the positive correlation between musical experiences and phonemic awareness. Both approaches identify challenges, such as the need for better infrastructure and trained music therapists. The outcomes of this research confirmed the existing theory on the profound impact of Music, both tonal and rhythmic, on Children's development in Greece, highlighting that phonological awareness, a crucial skill for language development and reading, is significantly influenced by musical audibility in young children and identified positive attitudes toward integrating music therapy into the school curriculum, despite limited awareness in Greece.