To celebrate Disability Action Week, Keira, a regular guest at Xavier Place, teamed up with Registered Music Therapist Becca to create an original song that warmly reflects this year’s theme: Communicate. Connect. Create.

At Xavier, we believe every young person has a voice. For Keira, music has become a powerful way to express herself.

With Becca’s support, Keira shaped the song using music technology and her own decision-making, resulting in a piece that reflects her identity, creativity and the ways she communicates with the world around her. 

“As a registered music therapist at Xavier, I support children and young people to achieve their goals through music,” Becca explained. “This song represents Keira’s identity because she had complete autonomous choice-making throughout the whole project. It’s like a little piece of her.”

“Whenever we needed to make a decision in the songwriting process, I’d present multiple musical options and Keira would indicate yes or no through her gestures or vocalisations,” Becca said. “That’s how we were able to create a detailed piece of music that truly represents Keira.”

The process also offered meaningful opportunities for Keira to practise communication skills that carry over into everyday life.“Songwriting gives Keira a space to practise saying yes, no, I like this, or I don’t like this,” Becca said. “Music motivates her because it’s such a huge part of who she is. We’ve noticed an increase in her communication gestures while staying at Xavier Place, choosing what she wants to wear, what movie she’d like to watch and making other decisions throughout her day. It’s empowering her to make more independent choices.”

Becca said the collaboration reflects the spirit of Disability Action Week. “The theme reminds us that every young person we work with has a voice. With the right support, they can express themselves, connect with others and create something meaningful to share with the people they love.”

At Xavier Place, Becca also works alongside Art Therapist Charlotte to deliver an integrated art and music therapy program, offering children and young people a creative space to build skills and work towards their individual therapy goals.