What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioural traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population. Neurodiversity embraces the idea that every human is unique with a unique combination of abilities and needs.
Music and Dyslexia (Dysmusia)
Although some individuals with dyslexia may find taking part in musical activities challenging, such involvement can actively help. It can boost self-esteem and it is also thought to help develop areas that they may find challenging, such as sequencing, organisation, motor-coordination, memory and concentration.
Music with Neurodiversity. really?
We use multi-sensory approaches, that is hearing, vision and movement.
For example: colour the keys, pictures, demonstration, listening to explanations, recordings, discussion, written text (yes – some dyslexic people like it!), hands-on exploration and so on. Music is excellent for multi-sensory approaches as it involves DOING - Kinaesthetic Learners. We will adapt to find what works for you or your student. Every river can be bridged.
Past Students, No Two Brains Were Alike
"Students initially take an extra class or 2 before settling. With comorbidities many parents or students fear they cannot learn an instrument, when it is simply an alternative path, to begin. Once we know what challenges we have, we harness the diversity. We teach students with dysmusia (Music dyslexia) very often.
Student X with autism, adhd, dyslexia and epilepsy might have trouble reading the notes on the page - But Having Autism is a Huge Bonus. You see Self Directed goals in autism - some rock, pace, or hum to stay focused. They are mistaken for misbehaviour in school. Every student is different. We harness the autism learning, teaching new skills, including how to manage time and deal with setbacks, this will help with transitions. When a goal is successfully attained, students build confidence that they can pursue the next goal. Each week they come back more confident. More of the Neurodiverse students outpace the Neurotypical. They are keen to show their achievements and can have strong logical reasoning."
- Stephen (Owner)
TAE | DIP | BSc | MSc | PGDIPFE (TCD)
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Success Stories
Stephen has a Professional Post Graduate Diploma in Further Education Specialising in Neurodiversity Teaching & Assessment at Level 9 from Trinity College Dublin. His Masters Degree focused on building Assistive Technologies for Neurodiverse Users. He first began teaching in 2000; In Shillong India, Teaching Street children, and with the Bethany Society - "for persons with disabilities".
Having travelled the world to Head the Music and Sound Department of GMEC, he was promoted to Head of School in Australia. From there an Academic Coordinators role at the Largest Private Multimedia Organisation in the World (SAE) came calling, and a promotion to Manager of the first of 58 SAE Institutes - Byron Bay Campus. But a larger calling awaited. A place to call home, a house, a family and Covid cemented DMA's future.
Stephen openly has comorbidities, amongst his friends and colleagues; from Australia and Ireland (Greenhills and DIFE). He advocates openly discussing mental health.
