When it comes to implementing music therapy for individuals with autism, a multi-faceted approach is crucial. Let’s examine some key interventions involving rhythmic patterns, singing, and the use of musical instruments. To learn more about how music affects the brain, making it uniquely beneficial for children with autism, head to the blog.
You could encourage your child to share or pass you musical instruments as a way to encourage interaction and build social skills. There is extensive research which suggests that children with autism are more socially engaged and emotionally expressive when exposed to music therapy. The same research also found that children are more willing to respond to a therapist’s demands when exposed to music. Yes, research has confirmed that a high level of engagement between the therapist and clients with autism showed improvement in language, social communication, anxiety, emotional regulation, and other areas revolving around quality of life.
For children dealing with autism, interacting with others can be difficult, but through introducing an instrument to their therapy, they may bond first with the object and then open up to others interacting with their instruments as well. Autism is considered to be a complex disorder that presents along a spectrum of symptoms and behaviors of varying severity.
Music Therapy & Autism
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were examined for references but not included. Music therapists are typically part of a multidisciplinary team where they work together with other professionals to ensure that the therapeutic goals are being achieved. The goal of these techniques is to strengthen different skills in the therapeutic context to then gradually transfer them to other parts of daily life. Music therapy can be a complementary treatment to ABA therapy and other interventions for autism.
The creative approach to music therapy involves improvising and composing music in order to improve motor skills, cognition, memory, and sociability. Although it’s not the case for everyone or even for the majority of people with autism, some people with autism do have exceptional musical abilities. Read more about piano lessons for autistic child here. Everyone with and without autism has their own unique set of strengths and abilities.
Music Therapy and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Overall, there are many different types of music therapy techniques that can be used to help individuals with autism achieve specific goals related to communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, and sensory processing issues. A skilled music therapist will assess the individual’s needs and preferences to determine which techniques will be most effective for them. Current interventions for ASDAs mentioned above; because there is no “cure-all” to Autism, there are three categories of therapeutic intervention that can help children with ASD. These three intervention categories target the three common conditions ASD presents.
Canadian Journal of Music Therapy
Studies assessing improvisational music therapy in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is a valuable tool for helping children with autism regulate stress and find calm in challenging situations. Music therapists use specific melodies, rhythms, and sounds to help children express feelings such as frustration or anxiety. It’s also important to keep in mind that not all types of musical activities will work equally well for all individuals with autism.
The determination of whether educational music therapy interventions are ineffective or whether these effects are difficult to demonstrate is challenging. Indeed, joint attention measures are rarely standardized, questioning their validity. Regarding controlled studies, Aldridge et al. (45) showed a non-significant trend for a positive effect of improvisational music therapy sessions on a global measure of the developmental level in children with ID. Specifically, the authors stressed the importance of the improvement in hand-eye coordination.
With the use of specific rhythms, tempos, and harmonies, music therapists can create an environment that’s conducive to sensory processing and regulation. This can be particularly beneficial for those who may struggle with sensory overload or find it difficult to regulate their emotions.
