Building Neurodevelopmental Bridges in Music Therapy: The Six Bricks Approach (4 CMTEs)

Hands-on interventions for executive function, communication, and regulation in children with autism

Course Description

This training integrates Music Therapy with Six Bricks play-based learning to support neurodevelopment and language learning in children affected by autism.

Participants explore six hands-on objectives targeting executive function, motor coordination, social interaction, language development, emotional regulation, and documentation using Six Bricks tools as transition support.

Through rhythmic sequencing, storytelling, cooperative games, and sensory-motor activities, learners discover how music and manipulatives can mutually reinforce therapeutic goals. Each activity offers a structured and neuro-inclusive approach to practice.

Designed for therapists in education and rehabilitation, this course fosters creativity, accessibility, and interdisciplinary collaboration in autism care.

Participants learn techniques that are used in clinical settings between course sessions. Interventions target executive function, motor coordination, social interaction, language development, and emotional regulation through hands-on, concrete experiences based on Non-verbal Communication Through Music (NVCTM).

Required Materials:

Three sets of Lego Duplo Bricks in the colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Light Blue, Dark Blue, Purple
One set of LEIEILUK silicone piano keyboard note labels (Rainbow colors).

Lego Duplo Bricks can be substituted with Lego Bricks of the same colors for children 6 years and above.

Schedule

May 1 (70 minute zoom plus 30 min Homework = 100 minutes)

(10 min): Welcome, framing, and overview of NVCTM, Six Bricks, and CBMT Domains

(30 min): Objective 1 – Executive Function (Tricky Tower + rhythmic sequencing)

10 minute lecture, 20 minute practice

(30 min): Objective 2 – Motor Coordination (Brick Path Challenge + RAS) 10 minute lecture, 20 minute practice

Week 1 Homework: 30 min implementation of skills learned with client of choice

May 8 (50 min zoom class plus 30 minute homework = 80 minutes)

(10 min): Review

(20 min): Objective 3 – Social Interaction (Bridge building + improvisation) 5 minute lecture, 15 minute practice

(20 min): Objective 4 – Language Development (Story Tower + LTM) 5 minute lecture, 15 minute practice

Week 2 Homework: 30 min implementation of skills learned w/ client of choice

May 15 (30 min zoom plus 20 minute homework)

(15 min): Review

(15 min): Objective 5 – Emotional Regulation (Emotion Tower + music reflection)

5 minute lecture, 10 minute practice

Concurrent: Objective 6 – Documentation & Evaluation (using CBMT-aligned observation tools)

Week 3 Homework: 20 minute - email takeaways and plans to implement in practice

Total Instruction Time: 200 minutes, 4 CMTEs

Materials Presented:

Six Bricks manipulatives and movement activities
Music Therapy techniques (Rhythmic Sequencing, NVCTM)
Observation and documentation templates
Inclusive strategies for autism and neurodiverse learners

Learning Objectives:

Participants demonstrate understanding of four games by applying one game in a Music Therapy session with a client of choice:

1. involving six bricks and Music Therapy Rhythmic Cuing to develop Executive Function through Rhythmic-Brick Sequences that support working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility

2. involving Motor Coordination through Brick Movement and Music Therapy Rhythmic Sequencing and Patterned Improvisation.

3. involving Social Cueing through cooperative Brick-Music Games and improvisational music therapy.

4. involving Language Development through Tactile Play and Learning Through Music to enhance expressive/receptive language through music.

5. Participants implement one of the games in a session with client of choice applying Emotional Regulation Techniques through Brick-Music and Reflection involving Music Therapy improvisation and Adapted Music Learning.

6. Participants demonstrate understanding by applying a Documentation & Evaluation observation tool using AI for outcome reporting and reassessment.

CBMT Domain Areas:

II.2B-1 through 2B-4 (Assessment), III.3A-1 through 3A-3. (Implementation)

II.2B-1 through 2B-4 (Assessment), IV.4A-3 through 4A-4 (Evaluation)

III.3A-1 through 3A-3 (Implementation), IV.4A-3 through 4A-4 (Evaluation)

II.2D-3 through 2D-8 (Treatment Planning), III (Implementation)

I.1C - 1E (Safety), V.5B-7, 5B-8 (Professional Responsibilities)

III.3B-1 through 3B-3 (Documentation), IV.4A-3 through 4A-4 (Evaluation)

References:

Harn, P. and Bo, S-H. 2019. The Effectiveness of Playful Positive Psychology Interventions with Six Bricks and DUPLO® Play Box for Taiwan Children on Emotional Adaptation World Journal of Research and Review 9(5)

Jemutai, S. and Webb, P. 2019. Effects of a 6 Brick Duplo Block guided play intervention on pre-literate learners’ visual perception, South African Journal of Childhood Education

Esmaeilzadeh, S. M., Sharifi, S., & Niknezhad, H. T. (2013). Auditory-verbal music play therapy: an integrated approach (AVMPT). Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 25(73), 197.

Hossein Khanzadeh, A. A., & Imankhah, F. (2017). The effect of music therapy along with play therapy on social behaviors and stereotyped behaviors of children with autism. Practice in Clinical Psychology, 5(4), 251-262.

Poirier-Fournier, E. (2025). Integrating a Child-Centered Play Therapy Approach to Music Therapy Improvisation Facilitation for Children with Developmental Needs Within Mental Health Care Settings: A Philosophical Inquiry (Doctoral dissertation, Concordia University).

Bower, J., Magee, W. L., Catroppa, C., & Baker, F. A. (2021). The neurophysiological processing of music in children: a systematic review with narrative synthesis and considerations for clinical practice in music therapy. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 615209.

Building Neurodevelopmental Bridges in Music Therapy: The Six Bricks Approach is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 4 CMTEs-Continuing Music Therapy Education credits. The Spiegel Academy, CBMT Approved Provider #P-106, maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria.

Class Description