Introduction: The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as “…the clinical and evidence-based use of musical interventions to achieve individualized goals in the setting of a therapeutic relationship by an accredited professional who has completed an approved music therapy program” (ATMA, 2008). Although the writings of Aristotle and Plato are among the earliest examples describing how music can positively impact an individual's behavior and health, music therapy is a relatively new concept (Degmečić & Požgain et al., 2005). After World War II, experienced musicians began performing regularly in hospitals for veterans who had suffered physical or emotional trauma. These performances elicited positive physical and emotional reactions, noticeable but surprising. Doctors took note and eventually began asking the hospital to officially hire these musicians to aid in the healing of these wounded soldiers. This practice eventually evolved into what is today called music therapy (Degmečić & Požgain et al., 2005). By presenting the evidence collected from various research projects, this article will attempt to introduce the reader to the benefits of music therapy. He will discover the different aspects, methods and approaches of music therapy and how it positively impacts a person with special needs and their family. The evidence presented will also explain how this therapeutic method can be implemented in both a special education classroom and a general education classroom to help a child thrive and flourish as an individual. This information will ultimately illustrate the effectiveness of music therapy in a classroom welcoming a child with special needs. Who are the Music Ther...... middle of paper ......r, U. & Winner, E (2008). The relationship between music and phonological processing in normally reading and dyslexic children. JSTOR. Koelsch, S., Offermanns, K. and Franzke, P. (2010). Music in the treatment of affective disorders: an exploratory investigation into a new music-therapeutic research method. JSTOR. Lim, H. (2011). Developmental music-based speech therapy training for children with autism spectrum disorders. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Oldfield, A. & Flower, C. (2008). Music therapy for children and their families. London: Jessica Kingsley Pub. Rapin, I. & Dunn, M. (2003). Update on language disorders in autistic people. Brain And Development, 25 (3), pp. 166-172. See, C. (2012). The use of music and movement therapy to modify the behavior of children with autism. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences