Summary: <br> When you’re teaching students with special needs, sometimes you need to stray off the beaten path a little. We need to learn how to teach each child, the way they need to learn. We need skills that will help us to reach students before we can teach them.<br> <br> <br> Karen Nisenson is a music and art therapist, and a piano teacher. When working with piano students with special needs, she borrows some aspects of music therapy to connect to each child. She uses music, art and other unique approaches to give every child the opportunity to have a creative outlet.<br> Karen has lots of great takeaways that you can use in your teaching straight away. If you have a student you’re struggling to connect with, this is the podcast for you.<br> Transcript<br> Please find a full transcript of this episode at the bottom of this page. Alternatively, click below to download a PDF. If you are an <a href="https://members.timtopham.com/inner-circle/join-the-community/">Inner Circle Member</a>, you can find the full video and transcript in the <a href="https://members.timtopham.com/podcasts/">Member Resources Area</a>. Not a member? See below for how you can get $50 off your membership today. <br> In this episode, you’ll learn<br> <br> * The goal of the <a href="http://simplymusic.com/special-needs/" target="_blank">Simply Music Gateway</a> program<br> * Why Karen started the <a href="http://www.artsforhealing.org/" target="_blank">Arts for Healing</a> organisation<br> * How feelings can be expressed similarly in visual art and music<br> * What music therapy is and how it differs from music lessons<br> * How teaching students with special needs can give you a new perspective<br> * How unconventional techniques can transition to more traditional lessons<br> * The role of improvisation in Karen’s teaching<br> <br> Links Mentioned<br> <br> * <a href="http://www.artsforhealing.org/" target="_blank">Arts for Healing</a><br> * <a href="http://simplymusic.com/special-needs/" target="_blank">Simply Music Gateway</a><br> * <a href="https://timtopham.com/tttv057-measuring-success-in-smiles-with-susan-bessette/" target="_blank">TTTV057: Measuring Success in Smiles Susan Bessette</a><br> * <a href="http://www.keyboardpedagogy.org/blogs/inclusive-piano-teaching-blog" target="_blank">The Inclusive Piano Teaching Blog</a><br> <br> Podcast Video<br> <br> This month’s sponsor<br> This month’s sponsor is <a href="https://www.noviscore.com/" target="_blank">Noviscore</a>, your new online sheet music resource.<br> <a href="https://www.noviscore.com/"></a><br> <a href="https://www.noviscore.com/" target="_blank">Noviscore</a>‘s comprehensive music library has:<br> <br> * Up to 4 different skill levels for each song<br> * Wide selection of music genres<br> * Piano solo, piano accompaniment, 4 hands, arranger keyboard, solo instrument<br> * Reading aids and fingering<br> <br> You can:<br> <br> * View on any device (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone)<br> * Print from any computer or laptop<br> * Rest assured that all music is 100% copyright legal<br> <br> Special OFFER: 30% off all our piano sheet music for Tim Topham members during September!!<br> Please enter code TTSEPT at payment stage.<br> Get $50 off Inner Circle Membership<br> As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $50 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member.<br> Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box: TTTVPODCAST.<br> Thank you for Tuning In!<br> There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.<br> Being a full-time teacher myself, I know how busy teachers are and how much time,
