Autism Spectrum Disorders: Music Therapy Analysis

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Autism spectrum disorder is a disorder in which many children struggle with. Children, who have ASD, struggle with communication and social interaction. With this disorder, there are many things that can be put into place for a child who has ASD to be able to function “normally” on a daily basis. Music therapy is one strategy that has been proven to be very successful with a child, who has ASD, to be able to function “normally;” especially when it comes to their social and communication skills.
Music Therapy – Advantages/Disadvantages Children of every age and grade can benefit from music therapy. Music therapy supports children emotionally, socially and with their cognitive abilities; while involving the “use of behavioral, developmental, …show more content…

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 …show more content…

God made each person individually unique. It says in Matthew 10:30 (New International Version), “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” This scripture tells us that He made each person is different in their own way. He knows exactly how many hairs are on our head, not a guess of how many, but exactly how many there are. It is vital that teachers are sensitive to the fact that every child learns different than the other. Furthermore, there is flexibility that is needed in trying to teach each child. Music therapy is a strategy that can be tweaked and modified to fit each particular student and those student’s needs. Because every child who has ASD may not suffer with the same things. However, this strategy allows a teacher to differentiate the way it is administered to each student. A lot of students, who have ASD, struggle with communication. “MT is a non-verbal therapy;” (Kalyva, 2011, p. 91) “which is why the method is particularly effective for individuals with verbal expression difficulties, such as children with autism” (Landau,

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