Our Mission

The mission of SWFLMEC is to create a world-class music education center where neurodivergent students who have a strong interest in music and low to moderate support needs receive education in music and life skills, preparing them for meaningful growth opportunities that enrich their lives and the community as a whole.

The Need For Specialized Services

Romantic girl playing violin with bow looking at cords
Woman Playing Guitar
Woman Playing Drums
It is well documented that most neurodivergent young adults face significant challenges in post-secondary education, preparing to enter the workforce and in developing healthy relationships. The Southwest Florida Music Education Center is here to help them overcome those challenges!

Who We Serve

The Southwest Florida Music Education Center serves neurodivergent young adults with a strong interest in music. We provide a holistic music education experience for neurodivergent individuals who have the following profile at the time of program enrollment:
  • Include ages 16-30 with low to moderate support needs
  • Demonstrates mostly independent self-care skills
  • Exhibit intermediate level or higher music skills,
    as demonstrated on one or more instrument(s), including voice,
    percussion, strings, guitar, piano/keyboard

Common diagnoses includes:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Learning Disability (LD)
  • Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder (SCD)
  • Anxiety-related disorders in the context of neurodiversity*

*Additional diagnoses may be considered through the application/enrollment process

Typical Student Profile:

  • Students who enroll at the Southwest Florida Music Education Center (SWFLMEC) are passionate about music and driven to achieve excellence in their chosen musical performance areas. With a wide range of neurodiversity, all our students share an intrinsic love of music and a true willingness to learn.
  • Our musicians are committed to personal growth. Some of our students approach the world with a sense of innocence and naivety. Working together with their peers and our highly qualified staff, students learn to tap into their gifts and develop a sense of independence that allows them to dream and build toward a bright future. Keys to success include experience working in a small group class setting and an ability to accept constructive feedback.
  • SWFLMEC provides a culture of encouragement and the support students need to spread their wings, amplify their abilities and achieve great things. During their time with us, student musicians create meaningful relationships, develop an aptitude for self-advocacy, refine their music and performance prowess, acquire life and professional skills and realize their full potential.

Defining Neurodiversity

Merriam-Webster defines neurodiversity as:
neurodiversity (n) – (1) individual differences in brain functioning regarded as normal variations within the human population, (2) the concept that difference in brain functioning within the population are normal and that brain functioning that is not neurotypical should not be stigmatized, (3) the inclusion in a group, organization, etc. of people with different types of brain functioning.