Differences Between Music Therapy and Occupational Therapy in Supporting Functional Needs
Music Therapy (MT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) are both part of the Allied Health field and play crucial roles in supporting the functional needs of individuals with disabilities. These two disciplines sometimes collaborate to support the same participant and often target similar functional goals. However, they differ significantly in their approaches and core principles. Drawing from my therapeutic experience, this article explores their distinctions.
Music Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy: Approaches and Strengths
Music Therapy utilizes music as a medium, integrating the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and participant to support various therapeutic needs. For example, music therapists use rhythmic movement activities to enhance gross motor skills, coordination, and muscle strength. Using drumming as an intervention, music therapy targets to develop hand strength and coordination. Via playing instruments such as the piano or ukulele, music therapy improves fine motor skills and finger dexterity.
Occupational Therapy also supports motor skill development but adopts a more structured approach. OT often uses training tools such as sensory integration equipment or assistive devices (e.g., scissors, chopsticks) to facilitate movement training.
One of music’s greatest advantages is its engaging and enjoyable nature, which significantly enhances motivation. Many skills require repetitive practice, which can be tedious and discouraging. Music, however, can make these repetitive activities fun, making it particularly beneficial for children with special needs.
For example, I once worked with an eight-year-old boy with autism who had weak gross motor skills and balance. His OT goal was to jump consecutively 10 times, but he resisted due to the repetitive nature of the training. By incorporating music, I introduced rhythm variations, volume adjustments, and his favorite songs. As a result, he not only achieved the 10-jump target but even challenged himself to 15 jumps. Moreover, he continued to hum the song after the session, practicing jumping independently in his daily life.
This music-driven approach to skill development is something that OT alone may find difficult to achieve.
Let’s use emotional regulation as a common goal as another example. Both music therapy and occupational therapy can help with emotional regulation, but they use different methods.
Music Therapy facilitates emotional understanding, expression, and self-regulation through both verbal and non-verbal musical interactions. This includes improvisation to reflect and respond to a participant’s emotions in real-time. Sometimes we do songwriting to help express inner feelings. Via Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) music therapists encourage emotional reflection and regulation.
Occupational Therapy often employs sensory strategies, such as sensory tools like stress toys or weighted blankets to regulate sensory input. Throught environmental modifications, such as noise-canceling headphones, to reduce overstimulation. Then via structured plans and visual emotion charts to OT help participants understand and manage their emotions.
For participants with limited language or cognitive abilities, the non-verbal nature of music therapy is particularly impactful. I once supported a wheelchair user who was blind, non-verbal, and deaf. One day, he became highly agitated, screaming continuously. By allowing him to physically feel the vibrations of an African drum and gently guiding him to tap different rhythms, he gradually calmed down. By the end of the session, he even smiled.
Additionally, music therapy can also incorporate verbal interventions to support emotional regulation. During Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdowns, I helped a child compose a song to transform his anxiety into lyrics and melody. He later recorded the song, and even a year later, he continued to listen to it, reflecting on his growth and resilience. This emotional processing through music is something that simple verbal discussions often struggle to achieve.
Music Therapy and Occupational Therapy are complementary but do not substitutes each other. Some may ask argue is music therapy just a tool to assist other therapies? The truth is that music therapy is an independent and specialized field. It does not merely execute OT goals but uses professional music-based strategies to enhance motivation, increase engagement, and simultaneously address multiple therapeutic objectives.
For example, during movement training, music therapy can simultaneously improve attention and social interaction—something that is difficult to achieve through a single discipline. This makes music therapy especially valuable in transdisciplinary practice.
NDIS Evaluation and the Future of Music Therapy
Recently, the NDIS update stated that music therapy will remain a funded service, though further evaluation of its outcomes and effectiveness will be conducted. The NDIS must recognize that music therapy not only provides a safe, enjoyable, and highly engaging developmental opportunity but also achieves cross-disciplinary therapeutic goals—making it a cost-effective intervention.
Music therapy is not just about fun; it is professional, effective, and impactful. Therapy can be scientific and evidence-based while also being an enjoyable experience.
(This article was written originally in Chinese for online magazine Sameway Issue 726, It is translated to English with aid of ChatGPT)
