Benefits Of Using Music Therapy For Autistic Children

Music being a lifeline for individuals with all types of isolating emotional, physical, neurological and psychological conditions, has incredible effect to the autistic children. It enables the autistic children to interact and communicate to others and have improved learning

The modern practice of music therapy, however, didn’t become widespread until the 1940s, when hospitals employed musicians to aid in the treatment of veterans (“American Music”). Today, in the United States 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.” The goals of music therapy for children with autism generally include engaging the strengths of the child to ensure that they have the skills to be successful in

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of conditions of the brain development. (Vries, 2015). The main characteristic of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is that they have difficulties to adapt and interact with other people. Also, individuals with Autism have problems with their development of verbal and nonverbal communication. They show a repetitive behavior that is usually recognized during the first three years of life. Approximately one of sixty eight children are affected with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the United States. (Vries, 2015).

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.

ABA is based on principles of behavioral therapy and is one of the most effective interventions for children that have autism. According to Healy, O'Connor, Leader, and Kenny (2008), early intensive behavioral intervention was effective with preschool children that had autism because they reported high achievements in normative functioning, which was measured under practical outcomes and standard psychological methods. The study also concludes that since Applied Behavior Analysis is a treatment, it can fabricate systematic, substantial and durable effects under particular conditions. This study provided an example where 40% to 60 % children before reaching five who had two years and ten months treatment improved well enough that they were ready to be enrolled in public schools. The research shows that Applied Behavior Analysis is effective with children that have autism, but there are many other effective interventions that can be integrated with ABA. For example Lim and Draper (2011) incorporated music with Applied Behavioral Analysis and found that both of music and ABA were effective and there was no significant differences in between them. Moreover, results specifically indicated that music was as important as speech training to form functional verbal operants in children that have autism. The results also stated that when music is paired with ABA, musical stimuli could enhance verbal production in children with autism. In

1 in 68 births in the United States will result in a child with autism. According to the Autism Society of America, it is reported as the fastest-growing disability, reaching epidemic proportions at a rate of 10-17 percent per year. Most parents recognize the signs and symptoms of autism anytime between birth and the first three years of their child’s life. Autism is classified as a neurological disorder and it affects the normal development of a child’s brain. Autism is not just one disorder, but a group of related disorders with a shared set of symptoms. All children on the autism spectrum have three major challenges; they are with social skills ab nd behavior, communication and cognition. Autism can be identified by a certain set of behaviors, but children can have any combination of the behaviors at any degree of severity. In fact, when it comes to their behaviors and abilities, no two kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are the same; each child has their own unique capabilities, symptoms, and challenges. There are many different treatments and medications used to remedy and lessen the symptoms of autism. They include different types of therapies and training, special diets, vitamin supplements, as well as, complementary and alternative medicines. Music therapy is the most effective treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder. Of all the therapies associated with autism, none achieve more positive results. No other type of treatment helps children to

“Not only do these children seem to enjoy music but they also frequently demonstrate a high level of musical ability” (Armstrong, 2010). Autistic children perform exceptionally well in areas of music when compared to the average healthy child. Armstrong (2010) further states that “music also seems to have an effect on the ability of people with autism to memorise nonvisual material”. Clearly, autistic children have a strong affinity towards music. The fact that children with autism display special interest and ability in music has led to the question whether music can’t play a role in the communicative approach with these

Music therapy is a unique approach to addressing the challenges of autism. According to Center, “music therapy is a health profession in which a music therapist uses music and its facets- physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual, to help improve and maintain their health. It is considered an expressive therapy” (Center, 2013). Through the practice of music therapy, an individual can obtain skills such as cognitive function, motor skills, emotional and affective development, behavior and social skills are all benefits that can reap from the practice of music therapy (Center, 2013). Music therapy is a truly unique

Music also helps with learning and autism. Music is sometimes used in classrooms to help aid with reading and language skills, and helps with creative insight. Music not only helps normal people learn, but it especially helps autistic people learn. People with autism often respond to music, and it can aid with communication skills, verbal and

There are multiple ways to heal and multiple benefits that come out of healing. One of those healing methods is Music Therapy. Music Therapy has been shown to help many people of all age groups, a specific group being children with autism. It helps benefit children with autism by improving their communication and social skills. Just simply listening to music calms and puts the brain at ease. Music Therapy is beneficial to this specific group because though they may have deficits socially, they show none when it comes to musical affect. This form of therapy allows autistic children to improve those social skills in a fun and engaging way.

Music has been around for years, drastically changing throughout history. Listening to music has been something that people find peaceful, setting their mind free of any negative thoughts that may have been in their mind. If music can help people relax and feel at ease, researchers believe that music can do much more for the mind and soul. Researchers have discovered that music may have a huge on your body and mind. Many individual have begun doing their own research to see if music therapy works. These individuals that have been practicing this new way have healing have discovered incredible results, and benefits behind music therapy. Music therapy has been found to express the emotions from these individuals, helping maintain the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the patients behind music therapy. Music therapy is not always about listening, it

Music therapy is a special therapeutic that does not require verbal abilities or social interaction. Through research, scientist have tested and proven that music therapy increases the response of social interactions, motor- skills and speech naturally in autistic children. Although many people feel that music therapist are bias and have no control of an autistic child’s brain, music therapy has proven to guide autistic children through various modalities and auditory processing. Therefore, music is a more primal and natural patterned way of communicating.

First off, autism is a disorder associated with many developmental problems, especially when they communicate or when they’re trying to be social. Music is being used to help people with autism, because autistic people more than often how a strong interest to music (Whipple, 2004). This helps to teach them to have more social skills like verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and to have a more normal developmental processes. Study done by Kim, Wigram, & Gold (2009) showed that there were more positive responses for music therapy, than there wa for toy play sessions for children. This came to the conclusion that music therapy promotes a more social, motivational, and emotional development in children that had

In the 1940’s music therapy began to be recognized as its own organized profession (musictherapy.org). According to the CAMT (Canadian Association for Music Therapy), music therapy is: "The skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health…” (Lightstone 40). It has been used as a healing process since ancient times. Over 2,500 years ago, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, would use such practices to treat his mentally ill patients (Graf 2). Today, music therapy is becoming more popular. The use of music as medicine is beneficial to many people as it is easily accessible, inexpensive and free of any harmful side effects (Thompson, Schlaug 6). According to Thompson and Schlaug, music therapy has proven to be beneficial to those

Kids that have autism have been known to have many behavioral issues and outbursts, but with the help of music therapy, these serious problems can be lessened. To illustrate this, a study in 2012 was conducted where 41 children with autism were given music therapy for 10 months. Over the 10 month period, the kids participated in a variety of music therapy techniques/strategies, such singing and using instruments. By the end of the study the children were less restless, angry, and noisy, which are some of the key poor behaviors that occur in young kids with autism (De Vivo 1). Furthermore, the music therapy can help children with autism lower their anxiety. Another study was done in 2006 to prove this. Autism Science Foundation wrote about this experiment, saying, “A small four-week study, conducted at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse in 2006, found preliminary success in reducing anxiety in patients with autism through music therapy...” (De Vivo 1). In addition to helping with behavior and anxiety in these children, it can also make them much more social and expressive. Children with autism have been known to be quite shy and unexpressive, but music therapy can make them come out of their shell and be more social (De Vivo 1). Undoubtedly, autistic children have been impacted for the better, by using this technique of music