The harp is a very intriguing instrument, it is hard for an individual to walk past one without having the urge to reach out and touch it. This makes it the perfect visual instrument to use in therapy.
A component of harp therapy is playing to a persons’ resonant tone, breathing and mood. During the session, Sharon often improvises in the student’s resonant tone, matching their breathing and mood. This sets the student up for the individualised session that follows, allowing them to gain the most from the session.
Along with the visual stimulation, there are structural reasons why the harp is a perfect therapy instrument. The harp creates incredibly strong vibrations, that can be felt through the strings and the body of the instrument. Vibrations from the harp stimulate every cell in the body.
The harp therapy program supports and ties together elements taught in the classroom (if the student is in school) along with supporting the work of the Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists. Goals can be set in consultation with the parents/caregiver and can include input from the consultant team working with a student.
In Technical terms, the harp has pure natural overtones, compared to the high overtones of most other instruments. These natural overtones allow children and adults with sensory processing difficulties to feel calm, balanced and reach a level of regulation not always achieved with other instruments.
Sharon has extensive knowledge and experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, including those with severe needs and extreme communication difficulties. Sharon has also worked with students with other developmental delays.
