Studies have been under way, examining the efficacy of music therapy intervention. Scientists have taken several approaches in determining if music allows an autistic child to become more socially engaged. The current debate is that children who have autism have social engagement problems that cannot be trained or controlled. Science is now debunking that argument as more research and evidence is emerging, showing improvements in autistic children’s social interactions. Working thesis: Studies on the efficacy of music therapy are providing empirical results on its efficiency with ASD children.
Researchers in the field of child psychiatry and registered music therapists have partnered up to uncover unique ways for autistic children to interact. Music therapists are prevalent in hospitals, cancer centers, rehabs, etc. Their focus is to improve the mental and physical health of their patients. Child psychiatrists have examined the children in the following trials and attest to the improvements.
Children with Autistic Spectrum disorders or ASD have a very limited ability to engage in social interaction. The problem is not that they do not know how to. They just do not feel the need to interact. Music therapy gives to children a reason to interact by introducing songs and requiring the participation of the child. Child psychiatrists and music therapists have studied preschool aged autistic children, using different avenues to thoroughly investigate music therapy. Though children
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.
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
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
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
Through the use of music children with autism are able to express themselves better in these social situations. Children with autism are found to not be as engaged with others in social situations as other children. Children with autism are found to have impairment in their communication skills when they want to express themselves in a social situation (Gattino, dos Santos Riesgo, Longo, Leite, & Faccini, 2011). A study done by Kim, Wigram, and Gold found that music therapy promotes social skills, motivational and emotional development in children with
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
“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 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
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.
Music therapy is becoming a widely popular intervention tool used to help students develop more extensive communication skills. In order to narrow the understanding of effectiveness the parameters of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was added in conducting the research. Communication can be defined as intentional or deliberate actions that influence and impact a receptive partner. The research will focus on intentional communication, meaning that the communication piece must either be initiated by the student and/or an intentional response by the student to a stimulus. The studies must include a communication piece in which an intentional message was received. For example, communication might include: prolonged eye contact, gestures, use of alternative assistive technology, or traditional verbal language. Non-examples include: stimulating movements or
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 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
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.
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