When a child is diagnosed with autism, one thing that is noted is the lack of eye contact. Music therapy works to help this in numerous ways. When the therapist starts at the child’s level, according to the British Colombian Music therapy association, they can base what needs to be done and how to do it off of where the child is and after many sessions, where they are now (M-7). According to a report in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, “Eye contact – this refers to an event where child looks at therapist while playing, manipulating” (E-7). A way that in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders is using music therapy instead of play therapy as it increases turn taking and eye contact more than when play therapy is used (E-4). Eye Contact was even proved to be held longer during this study when the child was participating in music therapy activities than when they were in regular play activities(E-1). When a mother was quoted on the British Columbian Music Therapy website, she stated that the “skills and abilities acquired in the music therapy setting generalize widely across situations. VII. Turn Taking The music therapist has to reach the child to be able to interact with them and help them. When the child feels free and unthreatened, the British Colombian Music Therapy association says that they get more out of the session. When they are not being told don’t this, don’t do that, and NO for everything they do to express themselves. Music therapy gives them that way to express themselves without being yelled at and told NO (M-8). The Tympo and Rhythm of the instruments is not just a way for the children express themselves, it even stops reminding them of when they were in the womb. The British Colombia MTA states that the tympo and Rhythm gets the child to progress from the rocking motion when they were in the womb and as a baby. It gives them a new independent feel (M-6). As music therapy is one of the cutting edge therapies according to Ken Siri and Tony Lyons, this helps develop motor skills for the child to interact with the instruments (A-2). According to an article in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, “Turn Taking – This refers to an event involving a sequence of turns to play alternating between the child and Therapist.
Music therapy not only works on adults in the workplace but also on premature babies, infants, and children as well.
...aled after the 2nd or 3rd treatment, and five failed the test. (Campbell. #249) These statistics not only show that music is successful after the first try, but also after the 2nd and 3rd times as well. The mentally disabled also benefit from music. For instance, a patient with parkinson’s disease stands in a frozen stance unable to initiate a step forward, the music therapist starts to sing a song with a strong rhythm. The client’s frozen stance is unlocked and she takes a faltered step forward, then gets into the rhythm of walking. (Campbell, #112) Another example, is that developmentally disabled-children are known to respond positively to music, where other means of comprehending and sharing experience are confused or limited. (Heal #14) Music therapy is being applied in today’s medical field, and it seems it will continue to push innovation in the medical field.
Due to the positive effects on cognitive, communicative, and behavioral functions, physicians and therapists treating individuals with autism spectrum disorder should incorporate the use of music therapy into their patients’ treatment plans.
...e to communicate with the people that have supported her throughout the whole process and others that she will meet in years to come. She is happy, intelligent, and is open to new foods and learning new things at an accelerating rate. Nicholas used to be antisocial and quiet around the other kids at his daycare. However, now has the confidence to make friends at daycare, interact with them, play with them and have the courage ride his new tricycle. His parents describe him as a “speed demon.” Music has helped him improve on skills he was lagging and has essentially built up his self-esteem. He has improved overall and completely changed. Music is extremely beneficial since it has helped expand therapeutic purposes for autistic patients like Ashley and Nicholas, but others that have been through severe trauma, a heart attack and patients suffering from cancer too.
Music therapy can be combined with occupational to increase the benefits of the special education services. A significant challenge people on the autism spectrum face is effectively communicating their thoughts, desires, and emotions in a socially acceptable way. Using improvisation in music therapy can help students on the spectrum express what they are feeling. Learning to use musical elements such as dynamics, tempo, timbre, and form, can help this population demonstrate musically what they need to communicate. For example, if they are feeling sad, they might improvise with a slow tempo. If they are angry, their improvisation might be loud and fast.
Music therapy works because of its three fundamentals: the application of systematic thinking through music theory, the creation of an individualized treatment plan, as well as the patie...
B., Gfeller, K. E., & Thaut, M. H. (2008). An Introduction to Music Therapy: Theory and
In the article “Developments in music therapy practice: case study perspectives”, Meadows talks about how music plays an influential role in a child’s development, such as moment, language, thoughts, feeling development, and connection to others. The first years of a child’s life are crucial since it’s when the most change is occurring. Music is naturally absorbed with children leading to immediate engagement, thus promoting and expanding development (Meadows,
Music therapy is mainly used as a form of distraction from pain. People dedicate their brain to the music or to the interaction that are being asked to do. By using music that both interests the patient and having well thought out interaction with the patient, the therapist will take their
First, as I stated before not many people know what music therapy is, therefore always asking, what is music therapy? The profession of music therapy has been around for over sixty years. Well, music therapy is the delivery
In summary, it is very reasonable to determine that music therapy has been a pronounced development. It has aided an abundance of people with dealing with all sorts of different issues they are faced with in everyday life; from emotional issues to illnesses. However, music therapy is not for everyone. There are many different types of therapies available for patients to choose from if they feel if music therapy isn’t for
Music therapy is not only beneficial to an infant at the most critical period of growth it also promotes and enhances parent child bonding and facilitates communication and social development, which is crucial for infant development.
It can be used “in various frameworks (e.g., music-centered, psychodynamic, etc.), and is depicted as a child-centered approach where a trained music therapist uses active, spontaneous music making and the relationship that develops through this” (Geretsegger, Holck, Carpente, Elefant, Kim & Gold, 2015). The music therapy specialist usually focuses on a child’s behaviors and interests in order to help the child grow in their communication and social skills (Geretsegger, Holck, Carpente, Elefant, Kim & Gold, 2015). One of the most important things that music therapy offers is that it is fun and enjoyable. Also, it is like another form of playing; therefore, it is something that a child who has autism spectrum
Music therapy is the use of music and or musical elements by a qualified music therapist with a client or group in a process designed to facilitate and promote communication, relationships, learning, expression, organization and other relevant therapeutic objects in offer to meet physical, emotional, mental, social, and cognitive needs. There are many things that make music therapy. A few elements that contribute to music therapy are tone, rhythm, harmony, melody, and timbre. There are many reason as to why people try music therapy. A few would be coping with illness, managing problems, and overcoming impairments. When someone is thinking about music therapy the first step is getting a bachelor’s degree. There is also places that will let you
“Music Therapy as a Treatment Modality for Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Music Therapy. American Music Therapy Association. June 2012. Web. 14 October 2015.