Monday Music & Movement: {Shake, Shake a Hand}

Image credit

I had the privilege of working at a camp for adults on the autism spectrum this past week, and my favorite activity of the week was obviously the group music therapy sessions with an amazing MT that I studied under at the University of Minnesota. As I observed and participated in the groups, the ideas were flying of interventions that I could implement in my work with groups here at the clinic. One of the biggest hits every year is Shake, Shake a Hand also known as Ah La La La. This “oldie but goodie” is great for adapting for groups or individuals! Here is a link to the song. Depending on the ability level and group dynamic, you can choose the directions and movements, or have the participants give suggestions. The verses I typically incorporate use shaking hands and giving high-fives for addressing socialization, jumping up and down, stomping feet, and clapping hands for sensory input, and my personal favorite, dancing with a partner to boost peer identification and working together. Here are the verses and chorus:

Verse 1: Shake, shake a hand, shake a hand next to you

Shake, shake a hand and sing this song

Shake, shake a hand, shake a hand next to you

Shake, shake a hand and sing this song!

Chorus: Ha la la la, la la la la la la,

Ha la la la, la la la la

Ha la la la, la la la la la la

Ha la la la, la la la la

Verse 2: Give a high five, high five to a friend

Verse 3: Jump, jump up high, jump up high together

Verse 4: Dance, dance around, dance around together (feel free to switch partners as well!)

Verse 5: Clap, clap your hands, clap your hands together

Verse 6: Stomp, stomp your feet, stomp your feet together

Verse 7: Sit, sit back down, sit back down in your chairs

You can pick and choose your favorites, or there are endless possibilities for you to adapt them for your groups!