Autism and the Power of Music

Yasmine White has been a board-certified music therapist for nearly three decades working with children, teens and adults who are neurodivergent and/or have a neurodevelopmental condition. As the CEO and founder of Voices Together, she developed the VOICSS® (Vocal Interactive Communications and Social Strategies) model as a non-directive intervention.

She is an author and co-author of peer-reviewed articles published in academic journals and white papers in national publications. She has enjoyed being a frequent guest on radio and television programs and presenter on her proprietary model at regional, national and international conferences. She has two grown sons and currently lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with her husband Jim.

Voices Together and the VOICSS® Model 

Many of the techniques, ideas and the general approach in this book are based on the VOICSS® model developed by Yasmine White beginning in 2007 within the non-profit organization Voices Together. The model has been deemed a best practice in the field by educators and administrators who have seen it in action and studied its impact on students. Having built Voices Together from a small nonprofit serving eight people to an organization serving thousands of people across North Carolina, White is moving the organization forward to deliver a technology-enabled training platform for reaching anyone anywhere who may benefit from this model.

The VOICSS® model uses structured music-based interactions to prompt communication and social responses and connections. In each session, the VOICSS® model follows a pattern of brainstorming group responses, choosing a peer leader, singing reciprocal songs, listening and responding, and then reinforcing client responses. The non-directive approach, The 50/50 method is based on humanism. This process helps clients feel heard and validated and helps them improve in goal areas such as self-awareness, self-direction, self-advocacy, social communication, listening skills, and, ultimately, independence.

The mission of Voices Together is to empower individuals who are neurodivergent and/or have a neurodevelopmental condition to transform their own lives.