the invisible, expanding keyboard in space

SOUNDBEAMS in Special Education and Music Therapy

I got this article from,

Swingler, T. (2006). Soundbeam in special education and music therapy. Retrieved from http://www.soundbeam.co.uk/downloads/leaflets/special-needs-leaflet.pdf

When and how you located the article:

I may or may not have come across this article while researching for another project of mine :) However, I believe this is one of the COOLEST pieces of adaptive equipment I have every seen. Therefore, I will share it with you.

Two paragraph synopsis of what you learned in this article:

I learned that Soundbeams offers an opportunity to people with profoundly physically disabled or learning impaired individuals to become expressive and communicative using music and sound. It can be done through the Soundbeams technology where movements are recognized and translated into sound. The sensitivity of the beams allows for the individuals to 'play' independently. The electronic technology makes available a huge range of possible sound-worlds. When compared to the traditional limitations of percussion based activity. The technology can be set up to recognize a specific range of space that allows for individuals to interact and take more chances, and to explore more and more the environment around them.

Although, this product can be used on any individual, of any age. It would increase functional

skills, socially by decreasing deviations from activities, increasing level of positive participation, and social interaction. Cognitively, it would help improve the cause and effect understanding, and increase attention span. Emotionally, it has the ability to improve an individual's ability to express/communicate feelings and overall happiness with their surroundings. Physically, it can improve body awareness and strength in upper extremities. The benefits are endless to enable and empower children with a range of disabilities.

How will you apply this knowledge to your professional development?

This new technology has the ability to captivate anyone with its ingenuity. It can be set to detect the slightest movements to the most dramatic movements. It can realistically reach any population and therefore, promotes inclusion! Through my professional perspective, I can specifically envision it being used for Occupational Therapy. It promotes purposeful physical activity but literally requires no physical talent.

Would you recommend this article for other TR students?

I would most definitely recommend this article to other students because it gets the brain firing. It opens up a whole new can of ideas of opportunities and possibilities. Any piece of research that has that capability must be shared. I assume that this a piece of equipment that most haven't seen or used and I hope that if they ever have the chance.. they could write potentially write a grant proposal and utilize it for its endless possibilities.