HIE Awareness Month: How Music Therapy Supports Healing and Development

Written By Kenzi Taylor

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain, often occurring around the time of birth but can sometimes be acquired. Every child with HIE has a unique journey, but many experience long-term neurological impacts that can affect movement, communication, cognition, and sensory processing.

While medical and therapeutic interventions are essential, there is growing recognition of the role music therapy can play in supporting children with HIE and their families in meaningful, life-changing ways.

Understanding the Impact of HIE

HIE can lead to a range of diagnoses, including:

  • Cerebral Palsy (CP) – impacting movement, coordination, and muscle tone

  • Epilepsy – involving seizure activity

  • Vision or hearing impairments

  • Developmental delays – affecting cognitive, motor, and communication skills

  • Feeding and oral motor challenges

Because these diagnoses affect multiple areas of the brain, children often benefit from therapies that engage the brain holistically. That’s where music therapy stands out.

How Music Therapy Supports the Brain

Music is processed across multiple regions of the brain simultaneously. This makes it a powerful tool for addressing complex neurological needs.

A board-certified music therapist can use music intentionally to support:

Motor Development

  • Rhythmic cues can help improve movement, coordination, and timing

  • Instrument play can encourage reaching, grasping, and crossing midline

Communication & Cognitive Skills

  • Music creates opportunities for choice-making, turn-taking, and expressive communication

  • Songs and structure support memory, attention, and routine-building

Sensory Processing

  • Music provides controlled auditory and vibrotactile input

  • Instruments like drums can offer full-body sensory experiences

Emotional Regulation & Engagement

  • Music can calm, motivate, and create a safe space for connection

  • It often reaches children in ways other therapies cannot

Collaboration with Other Therapies

Music therapy is often most powerful when integrated alongside other services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. By pairing music with functional goals, therapists can increase engagement and support progress across disciplines.

Meet Kat!

Kat’s journey with music therapy has been a powerful example of how meaningful, neurologically-informed interventions can create real change. During a co-treatment session, her physical therapist noted that while the guitar was being played, Kat held her head up longer than ever before (15 seconds!), something they had been working toward across multiple sessions. Even more striking was the sense of calm that came over her when music was introduced, allowing her to stay regulated and engaged. Because of Kat’s hearing loss, music therapy also incorporates vibrotactile input, and one of her favorite experiences is lying on the drum to feel the vibrations throughout her body. In those moments, her whole sensory system comes alive and so does her joy, reflected in the biggest, most genuine smiles.

HIE may change the path, but it does not limit potential. Music therapy meets children exactly where they are and builds from there which creates moments of connection, progress, and joy that change their access to life.

HIE Resources for Families

Kenzi Taylor
Next

Why Rhythm Matters