Music Therapy Students

There was a great turnout of therapists at the Music Therapy Convention in in Chicago.  Many college students showed up at the Dancing Hands booth and experimented with the hand taps.  Here are some quotes:

“Hand taps are perfect for improving grip control and range in the hand.  A person can grip the handle with two fingers.  Set up two target points and a steady beat to create music.  At the same time there is improvement in active/passive range in the wrist, elbow and arm.“ 

 Lindsey Landek, Western Michigan University

“You can do hand taps with fast/slow beats or music - even choreograph it with clients in a circle for social interaction.  Each client can experiment with different surfaces as they group or partner up.” 

 Ellen Walther, Baldwin-Wallace College, Ohio.

“We used them for improvisation by giving one client the Dancing Hands and then the other clients had other percussion instruments.  The client with the Dancing Hands was able to do a solo with them when the other clients cut out. Their creativity was amazing.  I also like the fact that it provides an outlet for adults in wheelchairs who cannot dance with their feet, but still can with their hands.” 

Beth Kaufman, Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne