Music Therapy and Children Essay

For many centuries, music has been applied as a therapeutic tool and effected some disease treatment of methods. In 18 century, the idea of music as a therapy that showed the article in Columbian Magazine titled ” Music Physically Considered. ” In 19 century, many psychiatrist started to use the music to cure disease and even experiment it to their patients. In 20 century, especially after World War I and World War II, throughout apply the music therapy for the veterans suffering both physical and emotional injury from the war. Music extremely effective solve the variety of diseases, for example, depression, during pregnancy, and dementia. Nowadays, music therapy extends to application in hospital or school of disability children. In the end, the professional organization was established that increased the

I knew about music therapy before my paper because I was actually going to major in it for college. It is interesting because I honestly knew so little on how and what music therapists really do in their sessions. One thing I learned and found extremely interesting was how music therapy can help children with autism identify emotions. Music therapy can help individuals identify the correct emotions and expressions of themselves and others around them. An example is if the music therapist plays a sad song, the child will internally feel a little sad inside, they can sing words or say expressions that relate to sadness, and then they can look in the mirror and see their own sad face while also looking at the music therapists sad face (Music Therapy Center of California, 2005, p. 4). I thought it was so interesting to know that music can help children understand emotions. Music therapy can help to lessen negative self-stimulation and it can increase participation and social skills among peers in more acceptable ways (American Music Therapy Association, 2012, p.1). Another big thing I learned from my research is how much music therapy can help a child with autism’s language skills. Music therapy can help children who do not have verbal language express themselves and communicate. The music can also let them participate freely. The connection between the actual music and the interaction of play, such as listening, taking turns and responding helps them with their communication skills (American Music Therapy Association, 2012, p.1). Some personal experiences that I can account for is when I volunteered for a musical theater production called Razzle Dazzle. This was a music production with adults with disabilities. Their disabilities ranged from Down syndrome, to autism, to simply just an intellectual disability. One man by the name of UNKNOWN, was a dancer in our show.

In a setting with someone with autism spectrum disorder, music therapists make use of music as an educational tool to encourage learning. One of the purposes of music therapy for someone with autism is to provide the student with an initial assistance using melodious and rhythmic strategies, followed by fading of musical cues to assist in simplification and transfer to other learning environments. Music therapy has been proven to decrease symptoms of children with autism, and could even facilitate motivation and social interaction. Even autistic children, who rarely or never speak, can respond to music; sometimes they may even sing along. Music therapy provides a tool that can link the gap between a non-communicative child and one who can

A recent study of music therapy interventions was conducted on 1,891 participants. The study was offered by music therapists and medical staff.

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by an accredited professional who as completed an approved music therapy program. “Music therapists hope that scientific research continues to define how their work differs from entertainment, and how it benefits patients as much as other more familiar complementary therapies such as art therapy.” (Mellskog) This shows how even though there is little research and evidence on music therapy, it is still very effective and a

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).

Not only is musical therapy an extremely effective practice to use for many different issues, it is also very fast acting with long term benefits as well. Patients often experience the positive effects of therapy during or immediately following their session. The benefits are also felt long after the music has stopped, especially if sessions continue over a span of several days or weeks (Ramsay). For thousands of years, humans have relied on music therapy; it is one of the most successful and cheapest treatments available to

I have this theory that when it comes to music there is an unseen power which transforms. In in my life I have felt the influence of this power but it wasn't until the other day that I witnessed this power in action. It was through a procedure called Music Therapy where the method of treatment involves the patient listening to music. The element of music has a history of an intuitive connection that has psychologically been beneficial. Music therapy bands together the concept of music, mental health, psychological, and physiological benefits. With more examinations to estimate the advantages for this procedure more debate arises. Many are eager to

Music Therapists (MTs) borrow from a range of non-music based therapy models in their development of Music Therapy-specific treatment models. Many widely used Music Therapy (MT) techniques have their roots in psychological theories and treatment models. Cognitive Behavioural Music Therapy (CBMT) draws on the widely-used and extensively researched psychology approach, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to address CBT goals through MT interventions. Despite the many parralels between CBT and MT there is limited literature on CBMT; the existing literature indicates that CBMT may be an effective treatment for clients with a variety of needs. Improvisation in CBMT makes up an even smaller portion of the literature, however the theoretical underpinnings of the CBT approach are congruent with the use of music improvisation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs a child’s ability to communicate and interact with others (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Individuals who suffer from this disorder are often hindered by behaviors that keep them from properly functioning in their everyday lives. It is hard for a child with autism to form and maintain relationships with family and friends since they are lacking the proper behavioral skills to do so. When a child is diagnosed with ASD, three crucial areas of development are affected: verbal and nonverbal communication, behavior, and social interaction. Since there is no known cause or cure for this disorder, early treatment methods, such as music therapy, can be used to make a huge difference in the lives of the children with ASD. Using music therapy for children with ASD involves a board-certified music therapist working with autistic children to explore the benefits that music can have on their behavior, communication, and development of social skills.

According to the American Music Therapy Association (A.M.T.A.), music therapy is “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.” As a generally new and upcoming industry, music therapy is often underestimated. By incorporating different areas of the brain, music can reduce stress, ease

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.

A song or a piece of music has the power to transform an individual and take them not only to a different state of mind, but quite possibly a different consciousness. Making or singing music also has the power to transform an individual. “There is a resemblance of music in pitch, volume, rhythm, melody and structure to the natural human expression of emotion in voice, demeanor and behavior” (Ushedo, 2006, 1). Making music can create an environment where it indirectly teaches individuals communication and social skills through the emotions brought out by the music. The social interaction between individuals with behavioral problems has been aided by using musical activities. It can “encourage or motivate communication through musical activities, which are responsive to the child to promote eye contact, turn taking, sharing, joint attention” (Stephenson, 2006, 297). While creating a calmer and more relaxed environment with musical activities, behavioral problems can be aided through the use of this form of music therapy.