Rhythmic Arts Project At Cardinal Cushing Centers

Students at Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover sit in a small circle, a percussion instrument such as a bongo or Conga drum in front of each participant, and a smile on many of their faces. A giant gong hangs on the wall behind the group. TRAP, The Rhythmic Arts Project, takes place in the Zildjian Room at Cushing, a beautiful and spacious music room, generously equipped by The Avedis Zildjian Company, Inc.

The goal of TRAP is to promote self-esteem and enhanced social skills, outside of structured therapeutic activities. Eddie Tudori, the Project Director and founder of TRAP, traveled to campus to train Cushing staff in how to properly administer TRAP.

"The Rhythmic Arts Project is designed to enhance existing therapeutic modalities. By integrating drums and percussion into proven methods of healing and teaching, this innovation has spawned a new enjoyable learning curve." (http://www.traponline.com/)

Integration of principles from social skills curriculums developed by Marilyn Banks, Ed.D (Conversation Skills on the Job and in the Community) and Social Skills Strategies, by Nancy Gajewski and Patty Mayo, are used as part of the lessons within these activities.

Students engage in call and response activities, as well as games that require a group of students helping an individual. For example, one student leaves the room while the teacher and other students hide an object. When the student returns to try and find the hidden object, the other students will play their drums to direct the seeker to the object. The louder the drums, the closer the seeker is to the goal! Students will use their drums to say hello and good-bye to each other, and to encourage each other to dance in the center of the circle. Sometimes the lead drummer will ask others to follow their playing pattern or style.

During these and other TRAP sessions, participants are also identifying appropriate ways to begin a conversation with others, learning ways to lead a group of peers through social language activities, and sustaining conversation while socially engaging with their peers.

Some of the many benefits of TRAP include increased self-esteem, peer relationships and team building, development of leadership qualities, and of course, exploring music!

Services provided by the Ancillary Therapy Department at Cardinal Cushing Centers include Occupational Therapy, Speech/Language Services, and Physical Therapy. These services are integrated into all program areas - residential, educational, vocational, etc. Therapists are involved with each student's individualized model of service.

For more information on the therapies offered by the Ancillary Therapy Department at Cardinal Cushing Centers, including TRAP, please contact Patti Nelson, Coordinator of Specialist Services, at pnelson@coletta.org.

Cardinal Cushing Centers is a place where people of all ages and abilities find possibility, opportunity, and hope: the possibility to achieve greater levels of success; the opportunity to be life-long learners; and, the hope that each tomorrow will bring personal fulfillment, new experiences, and shared happiness.