Autism Therapy: music therapy

definition of music therapy: Type of therapy whereby a trained therapist uses music in all of its facets (physical, emotional, social, etc.) to improve learning, build self-esteem, reduce anxiety or any of a number of treatment goals that are specific to the patient. Music therapy may be helpful for people with autism.

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Psychotherapy of Small Children
Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, by Jaklewicz, H., and Popek L., published in 2009, summarized Apr 8, 2010

Psychotherapy may be useful in helping small children with autism to notice their peers and learn what their peers are feeling.

This article reviews the use of psychotherapy for young children and presents a case study of the use of psychotherapy to treat a child with autism. For small children psychotherapy may involve play therapy, music therapy, or drawings. Music therapy is used because it brings the child back to fetal life and the feel of the mother’s heart beat. Drawing can be used to see the problems that the child is having and to watch the progress of the child during psychotherapy. Drawings may be very helpful in learning about the world of a child with autism.


‘Hath Charms to Soothe…’: An Exploratory Study of How High-functioning Adults with ASD Experience Music
Autism, by Allen, R., Hill E., and Heaton P., published in 2009, summarized Feb 19, 2010

Music therapy may be very helpful for adults with autism.

Twelve high-functioning adults with autism were asked about their personal experiences with music. Some of the adults said they liked using music to help change their moods, reduce loneliness, and have a sense of belonging. Some also said they liked performing music. Some of the adults liked the structure and melodies in classical music. And some adults liked the emotional, mood-changing aspects of pop music. The authors said that many people with autism may respond profoundly to music, and that music may be beneficial in many ways.


Sowing Seeds of Compassion: The Case of a Music Therapy Integration Group
The Arts in Psychotherapy, by Gilboa, A., and Ben-Shetrit S., published in 2009, summarized Jan 29, 2010

Integrating children with autism and normally-developing children in music therapy may help foster compassion.

This study measured kindness in 4 children who were placed together in a music therapy group. The group included two children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and two normally-developing children (9 and 10 years old). The children met for 14 weekly sessions for 30 minutes each. The normally-developing children showed more compassion over the 14-week period. Compassion ranged from tolerating unusual behaviors to an equal-leveled acceptance of the children with autism. Compassionate actions increased from about 2 per session to about 6 per session. The authors think that music therapy encourages compassion by encouraging togetherness and listening to other children.


Teaching Music to Children with Autism: Understandings and Perspectives
Music Educators Journal, by Hourigan, R., and Hourigan A., published in 2009, summarized Dec 7, 2009

Picture exchange communication system (PECS), rehearsal routines, and movements may be useful tools for music teachers who teach children with autism.

This article presents an overview of symptoms of autism disorder to teach music teachers about autism . The main point of the article is to offer suggestions to music teachers who work with people with autism. The authors suggest that repetition and setting routines for the music classroom that may be helpful to the children with autism.


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Community Resources Work Together to Help Kids with Special Needs

Jan 27, 2012

Tina Robbins realized just how special her Kalamazoo community was when they stepped up to help her out with her son with autism. Robbins is a single mom and her son Logan is a non-verbal youngster with autism. Robbins explained that Logan has sensory issues, wandering, and self-injurious behavior. As an advocate for her son, she reached out to Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (KCMHSAS) for help. Jeff Patton, CEO of KCMHSAS, explained that Kalamazoo is a caring community and different agencies pooled their resources to help Logan as well as other children with special needs. Western Michigan University provided speech and music therapy. He received his service dog, Denver, from Paws with a Cause. Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center provided equine therapy, while Project Lifesaver made sure that Logan didn’t wander away from home. Tina also gets help; Woods-Edge Learning Center and Family and Children’s Services Respite Program provides respite services, so that she can be re-energized and effective when caring for Logan.

Read original article: Kalamazoo Community Networks Support Children with Disabilities


Nigerian Woman Determined to Bring Early Intervention to Her Country’s Kids

Jan 25, 2012

Dotun Akande, the founder of Patrick Speech and Languages Center in Lagos, believes that early intervention is the best chance for children with autism in her country. Akande, mom of a child with autism, works to reach out and educate as many families as possible. She explains, “Parents too should know that having a child that has this challenge is not the end of the world. Early intervention is the key; so, all you need do is to help that child come out of that problem.” Patrick Speech offers interventions that include speech and language therapy, behavioral modification therapy, OT, social skills training, vocational training, academics, music therapy, hydrotherapy, and sensory integration.

Read original article: Early Intervention is the Key to Managing Autism Well


Does Your Child with Autism Suffer from Anxiety?

Jan 19, 2012

Kathie Harrington, a speech and language pathologist and mom of a son with autism, has written an article on dealing with anxiety. She points out that anxiety in a person with autism may affect sensory, physical, imagined, and communication areas in the person’s life. She explains, “They are anxious when they know and they are anxious when they don't know. They are anxious when they see something is close and they are anxious when something is not close enough…. They are anxious when, and when, and when... .” Some techniques she recommends include routine, relaxation, weighted clothing, music, flashlight, View Master, bean bag chair, and reading.

Read original article: How to Ease Anxiety in a Person with Autism/ASD


Music Therapist Teaches More than Just Music to Kids with Autism

Jan 13, 2012

Laura Fehr is a music therapist who has opened her own practice in North Dakota to work with children with autism and other special needs. Fehr, who uses music to work on non-music skills, such as social interaction and communication, says, “Music therapy works because music is processed everywhere in the brain.” She believes that every person has music in them; “everyone knows some sort of music.” Before Fehr begins a music therapy program, she assesses a child’s social skills, motor skills, cognitive skills, and communication abilities. She then sets client-specific goals and reassesses every three months.

Read original article: Music Therapy Graduate Brings Her Services to Bismarck


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Responding to movement therapy

Mar 15, 2011 by Anonymous

Please consider an outstanding movement exercise that works

the whole body which is riding a horse.  My hope is that some

day Autism Movement Therapy(Music & Dance)  well do a demonstration

at a therapeutic riding center where several movement rhythm therapies

can come "Together" for the benefit of the student.

Thanks, Phil Waigand "THE BEAT"(Heart Hoof Drum)  Arlington, TX  


Kandinsky Inspired Art w/Classical Music Inspired Effort

Feb 5, 2011 by galeeprol

I loved everything about this convergence of Art and Music with Life created to allow inspired art to flow from people with autism and other mixed abilities!  Terrific!


Music dance

Mar 8, 2010 by john-smith

I have good news for you, Richie and others, inquiring about the use of dance/movement therapy with autistic individuals. I am a dance therapist in Austin TX and there is plenty of valuable use of dance, movement and rhythm for individuals with autism. The concepts are that a person is not merely his/her brain; obviously we are connected through mind, body, and spirit. Therefore if a person can connect with another through movement, then behavioral and cognitive change can result if the neurological patterns are stimulated through dance and movement. Of course, dance is a form of self-expression and release, as well. Engaging in dance and movement can help in that manner, whether it is dancing with the therapist or creating a form of self-expression and having the therapist guide the movement patterns into another shape, rhythm, or form to encourage a different behavior or thought process. Btw It's really nice to discuss with you. I am happy but now I am collecting the php for my friends and other persons. Because I my aim to provide best and knowledgeable material. And I hope you will also like and help me to continue this


Free Sound Therapy Home Programme

Jan 21, 2010 by Anonymous

Dr. Alfred Tomatis, a French otolaryngologist, is recognised as the modern day originator of sound or music therapy. In the early 1950's he developed an effective therapy method using altered music to treat conditions such as auditory processing disorder, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and autism. Another French doctor, Dr. Guy Bérard, developed a similar method, Auditory Integration Training (AIT), which has found many followers in the USA. From personal experience I know that many clients report improvements in understanding, speech, balance, behaviour and emotional well-being after just two or three weeks of daily sound therapy.

 Sensory Activation Solutions (SAS) is an organisation with Centres in the U.K. and Turkey that provides a unique service for children and adults that face learning or developmental difficulties. When the established educational, psychological or medical services fail to provide adequate support, the SAS methodology often can provide practical solutions that result in noticeable improvements in daily life.

 You may be interested to check out their Free Sound Therapy Home Programme. Their Auditory Activation Method builds on the pioneering work of Dr. Tomatis and Dr. Bérard and has been specifically developed with the aim to improve sensory processing, interhemispheric integration and cognitive functioning. It has helped many children and adults with a wide range of difficulties, ranging from dyslexia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder to sensory processing disorders and autism. It is not a cure or medical intervention, but a structured training programme that can help alleviate some of the debilitating effects that these conditions can have on speech and physical ability, daily behaviour, emotional well-being and educational or work performance.

 There is no catch, it's absolutely free and most importantly often effective. Check it out at: http://www.sascentre.com/uk/uk_free.html.

 




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Please comment on music therapy or other autism therapy topics.

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    • Synonyms for music therapy include: music, piano
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