MUSIC AND ITS THERAPEUTIC ROLES ON THE EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE IN OYO STATE: A SURVEY OF OLUYOLE CHESIRE HOME, IBADAN

Abstract

Exceptional people suffer various health issues which range from stress relief to mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. These people need effective strategies such as motor skills, social/interactive skills, and cognitive skills to support them in their interactions and communication with others in society. The study explored the roles of music therapy on the exceptional people of Oluyole Cheshire Home in Ibadan. It developed better communication, socially interactive, psychomotor, and cognitive skills for clients through the aid of songs accompanied by musical instruments to treat clients. It employed a qualitative design method, dividing ten exceptional people into two groupsvof five clients each; and these include the mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, physically challenged, hearing impaired, and partially sighted. These clients were treated with music. The first group was used as the control group; the second group as the experimental group. The control group was compared with the experimental group to determine the impacts of music. A comprehensive analysis of comparison, personal observation & feedback from questionnaires gathered from the respondents were used to ascertain the effect of music on the participants (clients). It was discovered that Music, particularly when used as therapy plays significant roles by providing an amazing way of captivating the attention of exceptional people and inspiring them on social interactive ability, communication skill, psychomotor ability, and cognitive ability.