Music therapist introduces systematic Music to promote or improve a person’s physical, cognitive , language ,social and emotional ability. The one who participates in the music therapy does not need to have any music skills.  Therefore, all human beings are suitable for the different aspects of music therapy.
Music therapy emphasizes:
(1) the musical interaction between the therapist and the case
(2) individualized treatment plan
(3) holistic health
(4) multi-disciplinary cooperation
Music  therapy is a safe, non-invasive therapy.  Music can provide a safe and relax environment that  allows thepatient to build up their creativity and inspired their potential through music interaction.

 2. Population for music therapy

All human beings with special needs including premature babies, children, adolescents, adults and elderly are suitable for music therapy.  For example, children  with developmental delay , autism, learning disabilities, emotional disorders are the target of music therapy.  However, they do not need to have any musical ability.

The music therapist sets  the system's  treatment for the individual case accordingto their particular  needs.

After  the determination  of  compatible  ability of each case is defined by using the music activities, an assessment will be carried out after  each therapy.  Musical  activities include singing,playing improvised music or musical rhythm, composing music, music games, listening to music, music and physical relaxation, musical stories and so on.
The therapy to the children with special needs will be divided into individual therapy  and  group therapy . The treatment period lasts for half an hour to an hour.  According to the progress of the case, patient may need  to take part in short-term or long-term music therapy.

At present, music therapy is not yet widespread in Macao. However, the benefits of music therapy for children with special needs have a solid academic research support in the international community. The following example shows the benefits of music therapy for the children with special needs:

(1)  Music therapy can promote and improve:

 Cognitive abilities:   such as concentration, problem-solving skills;
Physical ability:       such as limb coordination, strength, etc. It also cooperates with the occupational therapist.
Language skills:         such as communication, pronunciation, literacy, breathing, etc. It also cooperates with the speech therapist.
Social skills:           such as eye contact, social interaction, take turns, group cooperation.
Emotional management ability: such as the right to express emotions, to express themselves. 

(2) Music can provide a structure to help the case to enhance their motivation to participate in    the treatment and lesson.

(3) Music is a non-verbal expression. It can skip the case of language barriers to achieve meaningful communication.

(4) Music provides a relaxing, stress-free and creative environment so that the case can get a positive change from the music activities.