special ed adapted instruments

[nafmeadmin]

Where are some sites or stores that have instruments which are adapted for students with special needs? I teach at a school with a significant special ed population, and many students have difficulty manipulating, holding, and playing classroom instruments.

[nafmeadmin]

I have good luck at west music get things. Also check with your special ed department, I was able to get an entire set of adaptive mallets to use in the classroom through them.

[nafmeadmin]

NAfME’s Special Research Interest Group on Children with Exceptionalities has a page on adaptive instruments:
https://sites.google.com/site/exceptionalitiessrig/home/resources/adaptive-instruments

I hope it’s helpful!
Linda Brown
NAfME staff

[nafmeadmin]

Yes, WEST music has adapted instruments and aids.
Check with your school or district Occupational Therapist–they will adapt ANYTHING!
You can also just do your own thing. For example, it is often difficult for some children to use mallets with ball ends–to match up the ball with an instrument in the other hand–so just use a round stick or dowel. Thicker dowels are often easier to grasp, and easier to use for striking. You can also ‘share’ instruments such as you or a peer hold one finger cymbal still, while the other child strikes it. Forget about triangles for some of these kids–they twist and spin and are so difficult to use.
Start with one handed instruments such as shakers and jingle bell wrist bracelets. Tambourines. Two handed instruments are much more difficult to manipulate.
Substitute what you can. If the child has any insight into their disability, ask the child for ideas on how to best play or what you can do to make it accessible.

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