The Efficacy Of Music Therapy Intervention

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

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

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

Kanner (1943) defines autistic children as children who exhibit a) serious failure to develop relationships with other people before 30 months of age, b) problems in development of normal language, c) ritualistic and obsessional behavior and, d) potential for normal intelligence. At present, the most promising treatment for autistic persons is behavior modification as derived from modern learning theory (De-Myer et at., 1981). Studies suggesting that autistic people improves their behavior when they were exposed to one form of behavior intervention at early ages.

Developmentally disabled individuals and individuals with mental health needs are also receptive and benefit from music therapy. Music therapy for autistic individuals has helped to teach social interacting, encouraging the desire to communicate, and minimizing non-communicative speech. “As far as autism is concerned, studies have shown that music therapy has a significant, positive influence when used to treat autistic individuals” (Evans, 2008, para. 3). Children diagnosed with autism are very receptive to music therapy. It was stated “Music

In order to work with children who have autism as an art therapist, it is important to know which theoretical views will have the most impact. It is also important to know the probable environments art therapists work at with the population. Since autistic children typically do not have the necessary social skills, art therapy should work to develop and improve the skills. Another thing art therapists considering working with autistic children should consider, is whether or not they will be likely contributors to the art as well. This paper examines those critical points and how art therapy affects children with

Autism is a disorder in early brain development that effects social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive disorders (Pace, Dumortier, Favre-Juvin, Guinot, & Bricout, 2016). It is recognized that children with ASD have difficulties with social engagements and expressing emotions, however some are well liked and do not struggle in social relationships (Locke, Williams, Shih, & Kasari, 2016). Over time there has been an increase in diagnostics for ASD, affecting between 1 and 2.5% of children (Idring et al., 2014; Kim et al., 2011; Randall et al., 2016). Originating from primary figures, attachment relationships, can extend beyond childhood and travel throughout the life-course in what is known as adult attachment styles (Gallitto, & Leth-Steensen, 2015). Attachment relationships are frequently surveyed through the mental representations thought to be established in early encounters of communications with parental figures (Bohlin, Eninger, Brocki, & Thorell, 2012). Since autism occurs mainly in childhood, children who have autism are consistently introduced to art therapy which gives them comfort, relaxation, and fun. There are three main types of art therapy are arts and crafts, dance, and music. Each version provides different effects (etc., behavior, cognition, emotion) in a positive way.

Autism is a rare disease that can be characterized by a “neurodevelopmental disorder categorized by the inability to relate to and perceive the environment in the realistic manner.” (Anthes, 1997) The signs of autism are mainly found in infants to young children usually between the ages of newborn to two years. The main symptoms that are discussed are “impairment in social interaction fixation of inanimate objects, inability to communicate normally, and resistance to changes in their daily routine.” (Anthes, 1997) Autism is a very understood disease but one thing most people do not know is that autism not only effects a child’s life mentally and physically, it also effects their social ability to have friends, play normally and even grow up

Considering the scientific literature there has been evidence of empirically documented beneficial effects of music therapy on emotional responses to patients experiencing psychological disorders as well as developmental problems. Hence listening to music has revealed its expressiveness in perception to patients diagnosed with mental disorders where it’s the same without mental illness. In addition, it appears music therapy facilitates children speech development as well as even through a short period. Power of music is universal since it can shatter down barriers of illness, injury or disability hence it constructs bridges of communication promoting a better relationship with others. Music therapists are permitted with having freedom for consideration in setting objectives for patients needing support for better physical coordination. As a part of the treatment of adolescent psychiatric, there has been a possibility of making music therapy an ultimate overall treatment for integration (Raglio et al., 2016). In this section, there will be a research of musical involvement in effectiveness to improving communication skills as well as a role in treatment programs.

Those affected by a mental disorder, such as autism might perceive music therapy as negative environmental stressors. Sensory processing can be a tremendous factor because, the music therapist might get delayed responses from the patients. According to Autism Speaks, "[the autistic patient] might have difficulty processing and integrating sensory information, or stimuli, such as sights, sounds smells, tastes and/or movement. They may experience seemingly ordinary stimuli as painful, unpleasant or confusing." Music becomes a invalidating experience for the patient and therapist. However, some interactions with music therapy may not be pleasant at times, ultimately interactions are healing physically, mentally, and socially in patients with autism.

Autism in certain children can be treated using music. The simplest way to describe the interaction between the autistic brain and music is “…music is a special kind of language, but instead of having words, it has notes.” (Ockelford Introduction). The autistic brain does not perceive music as just sounds, it is a means of communication. Some children may like music as a coping mechanism, some may obsess over it, and some may plug their ears and cry until it is over.

Several studies have been done on children with autism going through music therapy to see if it helps them become more aware of their surroundings. A study was done at the University of Bielefeld, Germany “Individuals with autism show poor perception of effective cues within the social domain and experimental... often fail to interpret and recognize vocal and facial expressions of emotions” (Why does Music Therapy help in Autism?). Autism has a wide-spread of children that deal with this issue but also have no control over how they react. That is where therapy with music comes into play. The ASF (Autism Science Foundation) wrote a blog about how Music Therapy May Help Children With Autism and talks about how they can use it to help autistic children. “Passing and sharing instruments, ... learning to listen and singing of greetings are just a few of the ways music therapy sessions can increase interaction” (Music Therapy May Help With Children). According to the first study, autistic children lack any kind of social interaction but with the second study, they are fixing that problem by using music to get rid of the void between communication

There are many different ways that we benefit from music. Music can inspire better self-esteem, and confidence. It’s a great way to set the mood, and a wonderful tool. 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 (Gram, 2005). Music therapy can reach out to anyone, age, race, gender it doesn’t matter. Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs can benefit from music therapy. As well as, those who have developmental and learning disabilities, those who suffer from Alzheimer's

thesis titled The Use of Music Therapy In The Treatment Of Autistic Children With Special Reference To Hong Kong

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.