Ms. Toigo's clinical experiences include work as a music therapist at a community-based day treatment center for psychiatric patients, and a community residence and school for adolescents with autism. In addition to her work at Taconic, Ms. Toigo currently works on a contractual basis for Rehabilitation Programs, Inc., in Poughkeepsie, New York. The music therapist assesses each person's strengths and interests and formulates individualized music therapy programs and objectives based on this assessment. Goals which might be addressed in music therapy are in the areas of sensorimotor development, cognitive development, communicative skills, social skills and affective emotional development. Based on the pioneering work of Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins, this approach emphasizes creating music which evolves from each individual's vocal, rhythmic, or motor responses.
Music is created that comes from the person, and is therefore a unique expression of that person.
Such music is very meaningful, exciting and motivating to the individual. Individual therapy to address therapeutic goals and build trusting relationships. Auditory stimulation for people with hearing impairments. Taconic DDSO's Music Therapy Department is also engaged in a broad range of services such as performing concerts at the facility, developing evening music programs, coordinating music participation for religious services and developing new programs in the community to facilitate individual choice, independence, integration and meaningful productivity. Our staff are frequent presenters at NAMT and other conferences, seeking to promote awareness of improvisational music therapy, and acceptance of people with developmental disabilities.