Sound-Based Intervention Essay

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).

The field of music therapy is one of the oldest forms of therapy. It can be applied to almost every ailment mental or physical and can be altered to fit almost any culture. Music therapy is defined as ¨a type of expressive arts therapy that uses music to improve and maintain the physical, psychological, and social well-being of individuals, involves a broad range of activities, such as listening to music, singing, and playing a musical instrument¨. Music has the ability to reach people in a way traditional therapies can’t. Music alters your brain chemistry in that it increases serotonin and dopamine levels which are responsible for positive emotions. Music also stimulates

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

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.

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

The prevalence rate of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has risen drastically in the last 10-15 years. In 2008 the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that an estimated 1 in 150 individuals had been diagnosed with ASD, the 2014 report now estimates that 1 in 68 individuals have been diagnosed with ASD, roughly a 120% increase (CDC 2007 & 2014). This rising trend necessitates a greater number of programs and intervention strategies to improve the quality of life of individuals with ASD. One of the primary professions responsible for implementing and designing these new strategies and programs are occupational therapy (OT) practitioners. Occupational therapists are responsible for providing services that increase performance and participation of individuals with ASD. It is essential that occupational therapists utilize interventions proven to be efficacious and are continually improving and redesigning their program strategies (AOTA Ethics and IDEA). There is a wide range of interventions utilized by occupational therapists when treating individuals with ASD due to the various manifestations of deficits and positive symptoms that can occur.

An individual with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has sensory processing dysfunctions, one of these dysfunctions relates to hearing (auditory input). The structures of the ear make it possible for the hearing receptors to be activated by the vibrations that sound produces. These receptors process the sounds; thus, allowing the brain to distinguish and then interpret them (i.e., speech, noise or music).

Attention and research relating to the study of ASD is of much interest to professionals at this time, largely due to its prevalence, increased need for provision of services and resources, and the degree of limitation this disorder

It also includes restricted repetitive behaviors, interests and activities. These issues cause significant impairment in social, occupational and other areas of functioning.” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014) Also, individuals with ASD may be susceptible for sensory overload. Since communication and interactions with others is a necessity in schools, students with Autism need assistance in coping with this disorder. Methods of intervention will be discussed in the paper. One of those methods is the use of

Musicians in the community , amateur and professional, came to “Veterans hospitals around the country to play for the thousands of veterans suffering both physical and emotional trauma from the wars. The patients' notable physical and emotional responses to music led the doctors and nurses to request the hiring of musicians by the hospitals” (American Music Therapy Association). Soon after the practice began to taught in colleges throughout the country. The number of individuals diagnosed with autism is increasing at such an alarming rate worldwide that today it affects one in every 152 children in the U.S (rathus, p.224). As autism is disorder that affects everyone who has it differently, no one method or approach works for every single autistic person. Music, however, is an engaging stimulus for children with autism. Every single piece of works on autism states that children who do not respond to speech will often respond to music. In fact, they respond more often and appropriately to music than any other auditory stimulus. In addition to responding positively to music, children with autism are often musically

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.

Music Therapy is used for many reasons and can be helpful in many ways. Music has been proven to be a therapeutic service to people because it’s helped people to contain themselves and even express themselves through the music that they listen to. This treatment is beneficial to many humans because it’s a good way to help one’s emotions without any medication (American Music Therapy Association). For example, music is used to treat pain and reduce stress. In Amy Novotney’s article about music therapy, she says, “The beep of ventilators and infusion pumps, the hiss of oxygen, the whir of carts and the murmur of voices as physicians and nurses make rounds — these are the typical noises a premature infant hears spending the first days of life in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). While the sounds of such life-saving equipment are tough to mute, a new study suggests that some sounds, such as lullabies, may soothe pre-term babies and their parents, and even improve the infants' sleeping and eating patterns, while decreasing parents' stress (Pediatrics, 2013)” (Novotney). Another example of how music is a reliable therapeutic resource is for people with autism. In Catherine Ulbricht’s article, she states that “People who have autism spectrum disorders often show a heightened interest and response to music. This may

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

Kinnealey, M., Pfeiffer, B., Miller, J., Roan, C., Shoener, R., & Ellner, M. L. (2012). Effect of classroom modification on attention and engagement of students with autism or dyspraxia. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(5), 511-519. This study relates to environmental modification of classrooms to support students with autism or dyspraxia who have differing sensory needs. This small sample study of 4 students showed decline in non-attending behavior. This article is relevant to research as this highlights an aspect of OT in advocating for an universal design for learning to include sound absorbing structures and different lighting to help regulate the sensory system of

Alternative methods of healing have been utilized by non-western medicine for generations. The use of acupuncture to heal everything from seasickness to muscle soreness is well documented and widely used. Physical therapy is often a precursor to surgery and many times will prevent the need to undergo a more invasive procedure. A lesser-known form of alternative healing but becoming more popular is music therapy. In the late 18th century, scientists began to investigate the effects of music on the human body; however, using music as a healing medium dates back to ancient times. There are many forms and techniques of music therapy that aid a variety of disabilities having to do with communication, behavioral issues, the autism spectrum,