Sarah Fisher Dobbin Email & Phone Number

Music has an incredible power to make changes in a person's life. It can slow a heart rate, lower anxiety, improve mood, facilitate social connections and provide an outlet for self-expression. By using music as a tool, a motivator and a catalyst, positive change can occur.Difficulty making friends? Making friends can be encouraged through music activities that involve turn taking and sharing - by creating musical connections between different people.Struggle to pick up and maintain a grip on objects? Gross and fine motor skills, (i.e. picking up an item), can be practiced and refined by holding drum sticks/maracas/clap sticks and playing a song, moving to music, or through learning to play an instrument.Want to communicate but can't get your message across? Music is a non-verbal communication form. Mood and meaning can be gained by playing with another person, by having others listen to music created, or for the individual to play it themselves.I've had the privileged to work with individuals, particularly children/adolescents, and seen their personalities and confidence grow. A young boy came for early intervention: gross motor coordination; basic communication skills (sounds/vocal experimentation, as he had low verbal capacity). Using djembes of various heights and spacing we developed a more accurate movement of his arms/hands which progressed to crossing the mid-line as an extension. We sang familiar/silly sound songs create safety in trying new sounds and experiences. After a break he reengaged to work on fine motor skills and expressive/conversation skills. We’ve used the keyboard to help him differentiate between each of his finger on both hands. He can now use all his fingers independently to play songs on the keyboard, leading to a sense of accomplishment and increased fine motor capacity. For his verbal goals we have focused on song writing within his favoured topics: such as trains, birds of Australia, Japan, and polygons. I love seeing these transformations. I have always wanted to be a positive impact on the world, to make a difference to individuals, their families and ideally the wider community. Through my passion for music and the changes it can facilitate I get to do this on a daily basis. We are always looking to add passionate and driven people to the team. Get in contact via email if this sounds like you. If you are interested in music therapy services or are curious about the mechanics involved please visit our website.