Benefits Of Music Therapy On Children Essay

Autism spectrum disorder is a general term for the complex neurological diseases that affect brain development. The common characteristics of the disease are difficulties in social interactions, speech communication and repetitive sounds and movements. In May of 2013, the DSM-5 diagnostic manual placed all autism disorders under one umbrella known as ASD or autism spectrum disorders. This merged all of the sub-types like Asperger syndrome, autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (autism speaks, 2014). Common characteristics of autism are intellectual disability, challenges in motor coordination, attention span

Autism Spectrum Disorders are developmental disabilities with lifelong effects for the person. They are characterized by the repetitive behaviors exhibited by the client with social and communication deficits as well. Clients with ASDs have unusual abilities to learn, they struggle with paying attention and may react inappropriately with extreme tantrums to different sensations. ASDs include and are not limited to autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, atypical autism and Asperger disorder. Research of autism has been tracked by the Centers of Disease Control for prevalence since 1996, however tracking of developmental disabilities began in the 1980s.

From 1997 to about 2007 the number of children with autism spectrum disorder has increase from 42,517 to about 258,305 and has risen since (Reschke-Hernández, 2011). With this rise of children who have autism, the rise of music therapy has since appeared greatly. When music therapy was first documented, the music was used in both group and individual settings. It was used with those who lacked social skills, those who needed rehabilitation, for self-expression, for psychological improvement and also recreational purposes (Rescheke- Hernández, 2011). Music therapist use techniques such as improvisation music therapy, dancing and singing, speech dynamics, and rhythm to help clients with social skills, body awareness and communication skills (Rescheke- Hernández, 2011). Children who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder can be treated through music therapy to enhance their social skills, learning skills, and coordination.

ASD also known as Autism spectrum disorder or simply Autism is a disorder that is very common in children especially in male children and it is known to that mainly affect the behavior, ability to communicate with others, ability to interact socially with others and level of interest to things of people.

A childhood disorder most common in the field of mental health, autism or autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is a complex neurodevelopment disorder defined by abnormalities and lack of social communication and unusual behaviors. ASD involves most of the part of the brain and affects humans ' ability to communicate and interact with others. ASD begins at an early age. The more common symptoms include difficulty with communication, difficulty with social interactions, obsessive interest, and abnormal behaviors. Recognizing these symptoms at a very young age is critical. The early the recognition better results, recognition of the symptoms along with the help of behavioral, educational and family therapies help may reduce the

First, clarify the differences between a music therapist and a music educator. Point out that while the educator focuses on teaching musical skills and knowledge, the therapist addresses nonmusical skills (such as motor, social, cognitive, and communication skills) through participation in musical experiences. Next, the team should consider whether the child is making reasonable progress in other therapies, or if perhaps another approach, such as music therapy, may benefit the child educationally. Some of the criteria to consider when deciding if a child would benefit from music therapy include the following: (Patterson,

This article described music therapy observations between two children, 3-year-old Jason and 9-year-old Sophie, who were both diagnosed with Down Syndrome (DS). The observations were taken over a music therapy session in the Creative Learning Centre at the University of Limerick in Ireland. Sessions lasted around approximately over a month, but more specifically, a course of six weeks; Jason attended approximately five music therapy sessions, while Sophie attended six. What also assisted in the process of this observation was the environment of the therapy rooms, ranging from different colors on the walls which stood for distinctive and significant symbols. The color blue was for music, red for regular playing, and yellow for art. In addition

According to Berge form the book Music therapy, sensory integration and the autistic child. Publisher from Jessica Kingsley at London, England in 2002 mentioned that music also is a treatment that utilized brain function, social interaction, and

Dr. Argüello invited a licensed music therapist, Meredith Ramos, to tell us about music therapy and its benefits. According to Mrs. Ramos, the American Music Therapy association defines music therapy as the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a licensed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. The simplified version of music therapy is using music for nonmusical goals. This therapy involves and improves executive function skills like problem solving, decision making, comprehension, organization, and many other more skills. If music therapy is performed in a group, music therapy has the benefits of encouraging group cohesion and interpersonal support. Playing instruments in a

What is music therapy? Music therapy is defined as “the clinical and evidence based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program” (“American Music…”). Music therapy is used to treat people with a wide variety of needs. It can be used to treat people with anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, trauma, schizophrenia, substance abuse problems, Alzheimer’s and/or dementia, stroke, and those that are speech impaired (Snell, Register, and Simpson). There are also several different methods of music therapy. These include music games, music listening, music with art, music assisted relaxation,

Autism spectrum disorder (AD) is a complex developmental disability. The signs of autism usually appear during a child’s early years. Autism can affect one’s communication skills and the ability to interact with others. Autism is defined as impairment in social interactions (nonverbal behavior, peer relationships, shared enjoyment, and social/emotional reciprocity), communicate (spoken language, sustained conversations, idiosyncratic or stereotyped language, make believe, or social play), and restricted patterns of be behavior (all encompassing preoccupation, adherence to routines, repetitive movements, preoccupation with parts of things), as well as delay in social interaction, social communication, or imaginative play prior to age three years.

This review paper discusses music therapy as an intervention for autistic children to support their psychological, cognitive, and physical development. Autism affects 1% of the population in the United States. Autism is a mental condition that varies in degrees in young children and as of right now, they have it for life. Autism (ASD) is typically characterized with having difficulties in social interactions, verbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Children that are affected by autism have an extra connecter between their brain cells that causes a slowdown in the normal pruning process that appears during brain development. People with autism have to be taught communication skills and learn to create relationships with people, objects and experiences in their lives by going through therapy. However, not all individuals suffer to the same severity of breakage.

Music plays an important role in everyone’s life and, although the majority of people nowadays have heard of music therapy, not many are exactly sure of what it is nor are they aware of its beneficial effects (Peters 2). Children, in particular, have shown significant improvement in their disabilities when subjected to musical therapy. Music therapist Ulla Holck’s studies show that “music therapy can meet the basic needs of children with special needs, such as behavioral problems, attention skills, social skills, emotional needs and intersubjective skills. In addition cognitive skills can be strengthened if the basic needs are fulfilled” (45). Music therapy is a process in which music is utilized to meet or enhance the individual’s mental and physical health. The introduction of music therapy has always brought many benefits, no matter if in general settings or in schools and families; it is documented to ameliorate the relationship between a child and the family, as well as aid children with disabilities, such as autism, and special needs. Because of the proven effectiveness of music therapy for children with disabilities and not, parents should be encouraged to make music apart of their children’s lives.

Music therapy is used with children who are suffering from ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). LaGasse (2017) states “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder that affects one in 68 children. Core characteristics of ASD include lack of social and communication skills, as well as repetitive and restricted behaviors. Music therapy has been recommended as an effective treatment intervention for social interaction, verbal communication, and socioemotional reciprocity.” So, as you can see, many children suffer from this disorder and are in need of help socializing and communicating with others enabling them to have effective relationships. Ghasemtabar, Hosseini, Fayyaz, Arab, Naghashian, and Poudineh (2015) all did an experiment on whether music therapy was effective or not. “The study showed that MT (Music Therapy) is an effective method with deep and consistent effects on improving social skills of children with autism.”

Music therapy, a clinical use of music interventions to accomplish therapeutic goals, involves a broad range of activities including playing an instrument, singing, or listening to music. Similar to occupational and physical therapy, this expressive arts therapy remedies psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or hypertension to maintain the well-being of an individual. Likewise, music has been a therapeutic tool that has shown positive effects to parts of the brain including regions involved in emotion, sensation, movement, and cognition. Although music therapy is a somewhat new-found treatment, it is used prominently today. Administered by a trained therapist, this type of therapy is used in correctional facilities, nursing homes, hospices, and special education schools.