Music Therapy For Children with Autism

Introduction

Music therapy serves as a valuable complementary approach to ABA therapy and other interventions for children with autism, aiming to enhance communication, social, and emotional skills through interactive musical activities. Originating in the early to mid-1900s, music therapy has evolved under the guidance of pioneers like Austrian-American psychiatrist Leo Kanner.

Understanding Music Therapy

Music therapy is an evidence-based method that employs music to teach and improve physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills in individuals with autism. It is not a standalone treatment but is often integrated with ABA therapy and other interventions. Music therapists, licensed and board-certified professionals, undergo rigorous training, including a bachelor’s degree or higher, national examinations, and supervised clinical work.

Intervention Techniques

Utilizing both passive (receptive) and active methods, music therapy employs various techniques such as listening to live or recorded music, interactive educational activities, composition, and improvisation. The goal is to strengthen skills within the therapeutic context, gradually transferring them to daily life.

Approaches to Music Therapy

Music therapists employ different approaches, including behavioral, sensory integration, and creative methods. These approaches focus on behavioral changes, sensory integration for hypersensitive or hyposensitive individuals. And creative activities like improvisation to enhance motor skills, cognition, memory, and sociability.

Benefits of Music Therapy for Children with Autism

Numerous research studies highlight the significant benefits of music therapy for children with autism, including:

1. Improved Communication: Music provides a non-verbal avenue for conveying thoughts and emotions, especially for children with communication challenges.
2. Enhanced Social Skills: Music helps in developing social skills like taking initiative, making eye contact, sharing, and waiting for a turn.
3. Emotional Regulation: Music has a powerful impact on emotions, aiding in stress reduction and calming children in challenging situations.
4. Reduced Challenging Behaviors: Music therapy effectively addresses restlessness, fidgeting, and inattentiveness, helping reduce aggressive behaviors and temper tantrums.
5. Sensory Integration: It aids children in coping with sensory aversions, addressing hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity.
6. Learning New Skills: Music therapy assists in skill acquisition by pairing each skill with a musical cue, making it easier for children to focus and learn.
7. Heightened Self-Confidence: Through the familiarity and security provided by music therapy, children can build confidence and discover their musical abilities.
8. Establishing Stronger Family Bonds: Family-centered music therapy enhances communication between children and family members, fostering closeness and understanding.

Additional Benefits

Aside from the main benefits, music therapy also contributes to increased vocalization, enhanced cognitive functions, improved body awareness, and coordination, among other positive outcomes.

Music Therapy Session Structure

A typical music therapy session involves four key steps:

1. Assessment: Identifying the child’s specific needs, often through consultation with pediatricians and specialists.
2. Goal Setting: Developing an individualized treatment plan with specific goals and objectives.
3. Activities: Implementing activities tailored to the child’s needs, including songwriting, dancing, singing, playing instruments, and group interactions.
4. Evaluation: Regularly assessing the child’s progress to make necessary adjustments to the therapy plan.

Session Duration

The length of a music therapy session varies based on individual needs, typically lasting from a few minutes to an hour. Sessions are often conducted once a week for 20-50 minutes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, music therapy proves to be a dynamic and effective intervention for children with autism, offering a range of benefits across various developmental areas. Sessions are carefully structured to meet individual needs, providing a supportive environment for skill development and emotional well-being.

Source

1. Bruscia, K. E. (Ed.). (2014). Case Studies in Music Therapy (2nd ed.). Barcelona Publishers.
2. Geretsegger, M., Holck, U., & Gold, C. (2012). Randomised controlled trial of improvisational music therapy’s effectiveness for children with autism spectrum disorders (TIME-A): study protocol. BMC Pediatrics, 12, 2.
3. Kern, P., Aldridge, D., & Yunker, C. (2007). The use of music therapy for enhancing the development of social skills in children with autism spectrum disorders: A review. Journal of Music Therapy, 44(1), 2–22.
4. Kim, J., Wigram, T., & Gold, C. (2008). Emotional, motivational and interpersonal responsiveness of children with autism in improvisational music therapy. Autism, 12(4), 389–409.
5. Mössler, K., Gold, C., Aßmus, J., Schumacher, K., Calvet, C., Reimer, S., & Iversen, G. (2019). The Therapist Experience in the Delivery of Improvisational Music Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(2), 644–661.
6. Oldfield, A., & Flower, C. (2020). The use of music therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Journal of Music Therapy, 57(2), 135–162.
7. Thaut, M. H. (2015). Rhythm, Music, and the Brain: Scientific Foundations and Clinical Applications (2nd ed.). Routledge.
8. Whipple, J. (2004). Music in Intervention for Children and Adolescents with Autism: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Music Therapy, 41(2), 90–106.