Music also has value in educational settings for individuals with profound disabilities. Adequate stimulation is necessary for proper development and thus it is vital for individuals with developmental delays. Music offers multisensory stimulation that aids in cognitive, physical, and psychological growth. The more structured and stimulative the outside world, the more effective learning will be. Participation in music activities can facilitate the development of readiness to learn, and therefore increase functional abilities.
Music also provides an alternative mode of delivery for information.
Individuals may attend more readily to music and therefore a greater potential for learning may be possible. Music can also be used to clarify context for individuals who need multisensory cues in order to properly process information. Music can carry instructions or cues to enable an individual with profound disabilities to gain greater independence. Given all of these potential gains from using music functionally and aesthetically, it seems that music can quite effectively increase the quality of life for individuals with profound disabilities. Successful experiences in music interventions may build self-esteem.