Reid, Hill, Rawer, & Montegar (1975) found music to be instrumental in teaching social skills which,, in turn, facilitated the normalization of a child who had previously been isolated from everyday events. Further, they found that the behaviour changes accompanying music interventions generalized to non-music settings.
By incorporating these music therapy techniques for autism, music therapists can create engaging and therapeutic experiences that cater to the unique needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. It’s important to note that music therapy is a highly individualized approach, and the techniques used may vary depending on the specific goals and preferences of each individual. By engaging with music in a structured and supportive environment, individuals with autism can experience emotional and behavioral regulation, increased focus and attention, and improved cognitive and communication skills.
Perceptual and motor disturbances have been linked by a suggested relationship between motor behaviour and the faulty processing of sensory input (Thaut, 1984; Nelson, et al., 1984). Motor disturbances are often manifested in delayed gross and fine motor development, poor body awareness/image, self injury, and motility disturbances (i.e., spinning of self or object, toe walking, rocking, and/or hand flapping). When kids hear the first note of this song, they would know that it’s time to move! It can help kids with ASD develop their gross motor skills by moving their bodies to the music.
People with ASD usually have a unique attraction to music and may have enhanced musical ability. This attraction to music can be used to allow children with ASD to participate in musical experiences, thereby promoting social skills (34). The musical strengths of children on the autism spectrum not only compensate for their social difficulties but also provide the potential for lifelong engagement in and enjoyment of musical activity (35). Many children with ASD respond favorably to music, finding it a safe and controlled stimulus for social interaction and social skill development. Musical stimuli may aid in the development of social interactions for a variety of reasons. Music has been shown to engage brain networks that are involved in similar musical and nonmusical tasks, and to maximize target behaviors through synchronized neuronal firings.
It has been used to help people with a variety of conditions, including autism. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Music therapy can help individuals with autism to develop communication, social and emotional skills. Speech function in children with autism was assessed in two papers by the same authors using scales created by the authors themselves. The two studies had different ages of children and different interventions, and one used behavior analytic therapy.
How Does Music Therapy Help Families Of Individuals With Diagnoses On The Autism Spectrum?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a range of presentations, and there are many ways to manage ASD features. Read more about autism piano lessons here. With the guidance of a licensed professional, music therapy could help with verbal and nonverbal aspects of communication. When Ethan started music therapy for autism as a young boy, he spoke little and hid under the piano. Fifteen years later, he began regularly singing in front of audiences and studying at a community college, according to an article by New York University. Pure behavioral methods [e.g., Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)] are based on a comprehensive analysis of children’s behaviors to promote well-adapted behaviors based on positive reinforcement.
Therapeutic Interventions for ASD
Presents a general music therapy treatment model for autistic children directed toward their specific deficiencies and dysfunction. Aspects of pathology and diagnostic characteristics are outlined and sequences of pertinent music therapy techniques are identified. The autistic individual can begin to exercise perceptual processes, and learn to relate tactile, visual, and auditory stimulation through manual exploration of instruments. Movement to music can also aid in the integration of tactile/kinesthetic and auditory perception and the differentiation of self/nonself (Thaut, 1984). Action songs may be beneficial in helping develop auditory-motor coordination and more refined body awareness/image (Alvin, 1975). Functional use of fingers and hands can be practiced by playing with mallets or on a keyboard. On a more complex level, perceptual learning sequences can first isolate, and then combine, concepts of pitch, loudness, and tempo, by having the client respond in kind on percussion instruments.
How Long Is a Music Therapy Session?
The authors noted that rhythm perception during the sessions was a predictor of a positive treatment response. Five non-controlled studies (40–44) and two controlled studies (45, 46) evaluated the effect of music therapy on youths with ID (Table 3). Zyga et al. (44) also reported an improvement in the socioemotional abilities of children who participated in mixed music therapy sessions, including singing, dancing and theater. Mendelson et al. (42) documented a positive effect of educational music therapy sessions delivered in the classroom on peer interactions during the sessions. However, this effect was observed only in subjects who participated in a 15 week program and not in participants who received a shorter 7 week intervention.
Music therapy is a well-established and risk-free technique for using musical interaction to help individuals with a wide range of cognitive and emotional disabilities improve their ability to function. When you take your child to a music therapy session, you should tell to the therapist about your child’s unique skills and needs so that they create a personalized therapy plan for them. Additionally, we also offer an Autism Awareness Course that provides a deeper understanding of autism and how it can be supported through various interventions, including music therapy. A great saving is also available on this course, as right now it’s reduced from £127 to just £29. However, common to most children with ASD is their difficulty establishing and maintaining personal connections.
