Her love for music started from a young age and with this love Angela Smith can now help others.
In the midst of Autism Month this specialised tutor at the West Coast Music Academy (WCMA) shared with Weslander more on how she works with children with special needs through music.
She said she found herself working with children with special needs, one can say accidentally, and it grew from there.
At WCMA Smith’s programme focuses on working with learners who have learning difficulties or moderate forms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) those on the autism spectrum and those with dyslexia. She focuses on theory, aural, piano and recorder lessons. Working with different conditions of the autism spectrum and with dyslexia, Smith says there are specific and different ways to work with each condition.
“For example, working with children who are dyslexic one may have to colour-code notes or work with pictures,” she points out. “Other exercises also include rhythmical flash cards, aural and more.”
Carina Brown, principal of WCMA, says studies have shown music can be of great benefit to children on the autism spectrum, ADHD or children with learning difficulties.
Smith says music is an opportunity for these children to express themselves, and by giving them the same attention and similar opportunities they can create amazing things.
Brown shares the same sentiments and says music can provide opportunities for positive emotional responses to music for children with autism that can help them reach their social and language goals. “Some children on the autism spectrum may also have better social engagement in music activities, making music a potential strength for interacting with others,” says Brown.
Smith says her job has given her many beautiful highlights and special moments, and working at WCMA and with these children gives her a very deep sense of joy.
