Creative Expressions

Students at Monarch Center for Autism express their creative talents through music therapy and art classes. In addition to their therapeutic benefits, these classes also afford our students opportunities to participate in recitals, contests and more.

Music Therapy

Visit the Galleries:
Art Gallery
Music Therapy
Monarch Videos

Music Therapy is an integral part of Monarch’s curriculum as it helps support expressive and receptive language development. Students become aware of pacing of speaking/singing and of body schema by moving their bodies and/or playing instruments to the beat of the music. Students learn to pay attention by playing an instrument or singing throughout the duration of a song. They also improve their articulation skills through singing and vocalization activities, and they enhance their motor planning and eye-hand coordination by playing instruments. Furthermore, they learn songs and participate with peers which reinforce academic and social goals. In addition to music therapy classes, our students participate in school-wide music recitals performed in an auditorium for classmates, families and friends, and they hone their dance skills for the annual Valentine’s Day dance.

Art Classes

Art is an integral part of Monarch’s visual language-based curriculum because it promotes visual expression. Students experiment with colors, textures and medium to create theme-based projects. In addition to having their artwork on display at Monarch’s gallery and sensory garden, students loan pieces to local coffee houses and cafés. Furthermore, each year students submit artwork to a wine label contest sponsored by Grand River Cellars and the Northeast Ohio Autism Group. In 2009, two Monarch students won the contest with submissions that will be featured on Grand River Cellars’ wine bottles.