How to Access Music Therapy

Early Intervention for Infants & Toddlers

As part of the federal law Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with disabilities aged birth-three years old and their families can receive early intervention services to support healthy development. Children who have a medical condition that causes delays in development or are not meeting developmental milestones may also be eligible for early intervention services.

Music therapy may be paid through funding from the Individual & Family Support Program (IFSP), which helps connect individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to relevant services, resources, and assistance. Eligibility for early intervention services are set by each state. In Virginia, the process begins with consulting your child’s doctor, contacting local early intervention programs, and discussing if your child may benefit from an evaluation. More information can be found via the CDC Early Intervention and the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia links below.

The CDC has guidelines for typical development for children, however each child may have unique pacing, skills, and timeline in which their growth manifests. Consult your child’s doctor for recommendations. The CDC’s website is a resource for families that includes strategies to support your child’s healthy development.

School-Aged Children & IEP Services

IDEA also set forth special education services for school aged children or young adults with disabilities, ages 3-21. Through a child’s school Individualized Education Plan (IEP), you can ask for an eligibility evaluation for music therapy provided by a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC). The evaluation for music therapy services must demonstrate that this form of treatment is beneficial for the student to display progress on their academic goals & objectives. Music therapy can be added to their IEP as a related service when the MT-BC, IEP committee, and the student’s parents concur of its potential benefits and effectiveness for the student. Contact a local school to gather more information. To learn more, see the links below.

Virginia Children’s Services Act (CSA)

This state legislation provides collaborative treatment services to eligible children and their families among other holistic supports. Children may be eligible to receive music therapy services through the CSA. Services are approved by multi-disciplinary teams and monitored by the local CSA program. A referral must be made to the Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) through a local agency, such as a Community Service Board. Music therapy and other treatment services may be available to a child who meets at least one of the criteria set out in the CSA. Discuss this option with your caseworker at one of the following public agencies: Department of Social Services, Schools, Court Services, or Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, (or the local agencies near you). Please review the CSA Family Guide below to learn more & view links to help connect to local public agencies.