Social isolation is a behavioral health crisis for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Music-based interventions offer a promising translational strategy to address their socio-emotional needs while fostering meaningful connection with others. Our inclusive continuing education program, Lifelong Learning with Friends, will pair adults with IDDs with UT student musicians from the Red River Ensemble. Project EMBRACE will evaluate changes in social-emotional functioning of participants with IDDs using psychometric and physiologically validated measures, as well as document bidirectional learning outcomes for neurotypical musicians.
