What's Happening in Qatar?

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Marion Ritchie
Regional Liaison for Easter Mediterranean
Contact: easternmediterranean@wfmt.info[/caption]

The Shafallah Center for with Special Needs in Doha, Qatar (http://www.shafallah.org.qa) has been previously featured on the Voices web site (http://www.voices.no/country/monthqatar_june2005.html). The Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs has also hosted four international forums (http://www.shafallahform2008.org/2009forum.htm). Guest presenters and music therapists invited to these forums have included: Jackie Robarts, Clive Robbins, Jackie Birmbaum, Helen Dolas, and Ron Borczon.

Presently, Dirk Cushenbery is the only board certified music therapist working there. Music Therapy is used primarily in one to one settings and with children on the autism spectrum.

An eclectic approach is used that includes: Behaviorism, Improvisation, Neurological oriented/ PECS oriented/ Sensory Integration oriented/ and Therapeutic Song oriented interventions, as well as Adaptive Technology. Music Therapy has also been used in collaboration with Physical Therapy in various ways in the past, including making music contingent upon exercising the foot/leg and the creation of an Arabic song to reinforce instructions used in the swimming pool.

The Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs is one of the best, if not the best equipped music therapy department(s) on the planet. The center is also looking for another board certified music therapist to help serve more children.

Marion Ritchie

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