ABSTRACT
All students should have the opportunity to study and make music. That some have physical, cognitive, or emotional limitations doesn’t mean they don’t possess musical interests, instincts, and skills. Students with special needs often try to hide them, as they fear being ridiculed. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that all schools have an Individualized Education Program for every student receiving special education services. One way the music teacher can assist students with learning challenges is through task analysis. Accommodations often alter instruments and change the ways students engage with music, but they do not change the level of difficulty. Experiment with alternative playing techniques and positions for the instrument. For students with special needs, some instruments are more user-friendly than others. Commercially available technology can assist students with disabilities.
