Research: Music Therapy in the Assessment and Treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Clinical Application and Research Evidence

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Authored by Wigram, T., and Gold C. in Child: Care, Health, and Development, Volume 32, Issue 5, p. 535-542, (2006).

Article summary (posted Mar 11, 2007):

Music therapy may help children with autism learn. Music therapy can help communication since it uses music as a treatment to form a bond with another person. Improvisation allows children to make music even if they do not know how to play an instrument. Music therapy uses improvisation to help children learn to focus on the same thing as the therapist (joint attention). Music has the advantage of having structure and also requiring flexibility. In this way, music therapy teaches creativity as the children learn to change tempo and do other things with music.

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attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, communication, evidence-based medicine (EBM), joint attention, music therapy, therapist, therapy, treatment
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