Striving To Develop Powerful Programs In East Texas, Program Uses Drums To Teach People With Physical, Developmental Disabilities – 63
By Lorena Rivas
Published: Mar. 20, 2024 at 12:12 PM CDT
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – According to the CDC, one in six kids nationwide have a developmental disability. It’s usually diagnosed early childhood and can impact physical and mental growth. Music notes, tambourines, and drums all have an important role.
“One of the keynote portions of trap learning is the sequencing that takes place,” said Casey Muze, who teaches TRAP Learning.
The rhythm arts project, called TRAP Learning, uses drums and percussion to educate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“Such as autism, down syndrome, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia neuro divergences right but this doesn’t limit physical barriers when you talk about cerebral palsy,” said Muze.
For the past four years, Muze has used these drums for that purpose.
“Overall healing and gaining mobility and cognitive structure.”
The program incorporates all senses.
“It’s very holistic because it doesn’t involve you consuming anything, involves you to get up and move and be in tune with what’s going on with the body,” said Muze.
Muze personalizes each exercise depending on the disability to help enhance focus and memory but also build life skills.
“They’re able to express their emotions to me, they used to get so mad and so wound up and so pint up but now they’re able to say I’m mad and I don’t know why,” said Muze.
Muze said programs like these are needed in East Texas to provide a community and a creative way of learning.
“Me being able to serve different populations of people and lean into the true hearts of what their needs are means the world to me,” said Muze.
Impacting lives one beat at a time during this month which brings awareness to developmental disabilities. Muze said this program is open to all ages; he’s served people from 1 to more than 85 years old.
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Casey Muze
As I reflect on the blog entry highlighting my work with TRAP Learning, I’m filled with a sense of purpose and gratitude. The statistics are staggering—one in six kids with developmental disabilities. It really brings home the importance of reaching out and providing support to these individuals in our community.
The role of rhythm in learning and development is something I’ve come to see as profoundly impactful. Through the use of drums and percussion, we tap into a method of education that resonates on multiple levels. The sequencing in music is not just musical; it mirrors cognitive processes that can help in learning and memory retention. I’ve seen firsthand how participants engage with the exercises, often surprising themselves with what they can achieve.
It’s incredibly rewarding to witness transformations in my students. Many come in feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, but through our sessions, they learn to articulate their emotions. The holistic nature of our program means that we not only focus on cognitive skills but also on mobility, communication, and emotional expression. It’s fulfilling to watch as they learn to navigate their feelings and gain a sense of control over their experiences.
I believe there’s a critical need for programs like TRAP Learning in East Texas. The sense of community we create, where individuals of all ages—from toddlers to seniors—come together to learn and grow, is something truly special. It reminds me that the journey of learning and healing is not just about the skills we develop, but about the connections we form.
At the heart of it all is my commitment to meet the diverse needs of those I serve. Each individual is unique, and personalizing our exercises is fundamental to fostering their growth. Knowing that I can help enhance someone’s focus or offer them a safe space to express their emotions motivates me every single day. Together, we are impacting lives, one beat at a time, and as we continue our efforts throughout this month of awareness, I’m hopeful about what lies ahead.
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