Rapport-Based Musical Interaction in Autism, PMLD, Learning Disability SEN Education (in person)

Learn how to lead and support music sessions for children with additional and complex needs. Suitable for all staff, practitioners, artists and family members with or without previous musical experience.

This course will be hosted by the Rowan school in Sheffield and will feature a music circle with the children from Rowan school to demonstrate the practice.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

• engage children more effectively using music
• find more rapport and build stronger relationships with the children
• find new ways to reach children at risk of social isolation
• lead or support music sessions with more confidence
• play and sing a new repertoire of 8 interactive songs
• demonstrate deeper understanding of the purpose and practice of Musical Interaction and Intensive Interaction
• to use circle bands and other props to support interaction

All participants will be given the following resources:

Musical Interaction Staff Handbook including the principles, practice and over 20 songs
Video backing tracks
Audio files of the songs

Matthew Laurie has worked as community musician since 2001 and specialises in supporting children and adults with complex needs and communication difficulties. He worked for 10 years embedding Intensive interaction and Music at an autism service in South Yorkshire and has worked in the same capacity since 2013 at Woolley Wood School in Sheffield. For three years Matthew worked as a consultant to embed Rapport-Based Musical Interaction at the Rowan School in Sheffield and offers training online and across the UK.