Assistive Technology: Muse 2

What is Assistive Technology? 

Assistive technology (AT) is any device, software, or equipment that is used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability, including a learning difference. Technologies include hardware, or physical technologies that are kept on-site at our AT Studio, and software, or technology available via a computer that can potentially be used from home. To learn more about why and how LDS uses AT, head to our AT webpage.

What does Muse 2 do?

Muse 2 is a wearable meditation device that provides real-time feedback on your brain activity, heart rate, breathing, and body movements to help you build a consistent meditation practice. The wearable meditation headband monitors brain activity. The app records data and provides guided meditation and sound cues to help bring students to a focused and calm mental state. Muse 2 is beneficial for students who may feel overstimulated in lessons or struggle with attention or emotional control. LDS students 16 years of age and older can download the Muse app or visit the AT studio to try it out for themselves.

Muse 2 features:

• Muse 2 uses brain activity to create sound cues to help students identify emotions and bring attention back to breathing. Brainwaves can be categorized as neutral, calm, or active and are translated into corresponding soundscapes such as rainforests, city parks, or the beach.  
• Muse 2 headband and app give real-time feedback on brain activity during meditation and records data to track progress. 
• Muse 2 features various durations and themes of meditation: Mind, Heart, Body, Breath, or Guided Meditation.  

What is Muse’s Guided Meditation Library?

Muse, the maker of the Muse wearable meditation device, has provided LDS with a limited-time trial of their Guided Meditation Library. Guided meditations are led by another individual who instructs the listener through meditation. The instructor helps the listener maintain focus and teaches meditation techniques. Guided meditation is an excellent resource for individuals new to meditation or who find meditation on their own difficult. There are various courses and collections within the guided meditation library that target problem areas, like sleep and stress, or target individuals, like parents and kids. While You can use these guided meditations with the Muse 2 headset, this library does not require it. Simply access the guided meditations via the Muse app (Android) or the Meditation Studio App (iOS) and listen away. 

Features of Muse’s Guided Meditation Library:

• Tailored collections that target specific people, communities and careers: like parents, kids, and first responders. These customized meditations adjust the length and content of the meditation to be more appropriate for the target group. 
• Courses to teach and build meditation skills taught by over 70 experts.  
• A wide range of guided meditations that help with mood, stress, sleep and much more. 

How can my child access Muse 2 and Guided Meditation Library?

We currently have a free trial of this guided meditation library from Muse as part of our AT Studio, a space dedicated to the collaborative use of leading-edge AT to help our students with learning differences. The Muse 2 is offered in-person to students as part of our AT Studio. To learn more about how your child can benefit and to access this library, email our ATTo learn more about how your child can benefit, email our AT Manager at AT@ldsociety.ca.