Music Therapy for Autism - Autism Parenting Magazine.pdf

9/16/23, 3:05 PM Music Therapy for Autism - Autism Parenting Magazine
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How Music Therapy for Autism Can Help Your Child on
the Spectrum
Music makes this world a better place, but it can do more than make you dance and
sing your worries away. In recent years, music therapy for autism has proved to be a
powerful tool for enhancing the development of children on the spectrum.
Learning can and should be fun, and it’s exactly what your little one deserves. As a
caregiver, you know how challenging it can be to understand your child’s needs.
Once you do, however, it’s the most rewarding experience in the world. Let’s learn
how music therapy can help you achieve that.
By Martina Riepen, MA
September 14, 2023
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Contents [ hide ]
1 What is Music Therapy for Autism?
2 The Therapeutic Benefits of Music
2.1 A Bridge to Communication
2.2 Sensory Integration
3 Which Forms of Music Therapy are Suitable for Children With Autism
4 Benefits of Music Therapy For ASD Children
4.1 Emotional Expression and Regulation
4.2 Cultivating Social Skills
4.3 Enhancing Communication Skills
5 The Mechanisms Behind Music Therapy for Autism
5.1 Neurological Pathways
5.2 Sensory Integration
5.3 Rhythmic Entertainment
6 The Orff and Nordoff/Robbins Approaches
7 Practical Applications of Music Therapy
7.1 Individualized Approaches
7.2 Incorporating Favorite Tunes
7.3 Progress Tracking
8 Conclusion
9 FAQs
9.1 Q: How does music therapy differ from traditional therapies for autism?
9.2 Q: Can music therapy completely replace other forms of treatment?
9.3 Q: Are there specific types of music that work better for children with
autism?
9.4 Q: Can music therapy benefit adults with autism as well?
9.5 Q: How long does it take to see noticeable improvements through music
therapy?
What is Music Therapy for Autism?
Music therapy focuses on improving the expressiveness of inner emotional
experiences and helping with body awareness. With its strong impact on emotions, it
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has been suggested that music, applied as music therapy, can help children with
autism regulate stress so that they can calm down.
Music helps the body recover from states of tension. Some experts believe music
therapy has a strong impact on the nervous system, the brain, and the cognitive
functions of young children with autism. It has been suggested music therapy can
help children with sensory processing issues, too.
Music therapists use particular melodies, rhythms, dynamics, sounds, etc., to help
those with autism spectrum disorders to express feelings like anger or anxiety. The
therapist aims to help regulate the autistic child’s states of tension.
Music therapy is also a means of non-verbal communication: feelings and emotions
can be expressed through music. It might help the ASD child by supporting
communication skills and social interaction. Music is a form of expression without
words, which makes it particularly useful for non-verbal children and for children with
speech delays.
The Therapeutic Benefits of Music
Music therapy is a well-established and effective therapeutic approach that
harnesses the power of music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social
needs. It has a wide range of therapeutic potential. The key ones are communication
improvement and sensory stimulation.
A Bridge to Communication
Music, with its universal language, has the extraordinary ability to bridge
communication gaps. For children with autism who struggle with communicating,
music becomes an alternative. Melodies, rhythms, and non-verbal cues inherent in
music provide a platform for these children to convey their emotions and thoughts.
Sensory Integration
Sensory sensitivity is a common trait among children with autism. The sensory-rich
nature of music can aid in sensory integration, helping children become more
comfortable with various stimuli.
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Engaging with musical instruments, different genres, and sounds can gradually
desensitize the child to sensory triggers. As a result, the child experiences improved
tolerance and reduced anxiety.
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Which Forms of Music Therapy are Suitable for Children
With Autism
There are two different groups of music therapy: active and receptive (passive) music
therapy.
Music therapy is not new at all. The impact music has on our minds and our bodies
has been well-known for hundreds of years. Music therapists originally used the
receptive form, where the patient listened to music.
Through the long development of music therapy, this has changed. Today, receptive
music therapy is applied alongside or in combination with the active form, where the
autistic child improvises with music and can express his/her feelings freely.
During a music therapy session, the music therapist reacts to the moving body of the
child and his/her pitch. The therapist also utilizes several musical instruments.
The lengths of sessions vary. Sometimes, they last only a few minutes and become
extended, depending on the child’s individuality.
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Sessions can be one-on-one or in a group setting. There is also family-centered
music therapy, where the whole family gets involved in the sessions. This approach
aims to help the autistic child and the entire family unit to stabilize, maintain, and
improve mental and physical health.
Music therapy should always be conducted by a well-educated music therapist with at
least an undergraduate degree in music therapy and at least 1,200 hours of clinical
training. Depending on the child’s situation, the therapist should formulate the goals
for the child and discuss these with the parents.
The aims of the therapy program should be documented in writing to enable a long-
term review of progress. Each music therapist will provide specific guidelines for each
child’s therapy program.
Benefits of Music Therapy For ASD Children
Various autism research studies show music therapy is beneficial for tackling
challenging behaviors, reducing anxiety, and improving the child’s attention.
Research also shows that music therapy can support self-confidence and improve
In different
social interaction, independence, concentration, attention, and motivation.
clinical studies, it has been found that there is a link between musical activities and
learning outcomes. Here are some of the key benefits of music therapy for children
on the spectrum.
Emotional Expression and Regulation
Music is deeply intertwined with emotions. Through music therapy, children with
autism can learn to identify and express their feelings in a structured and enjoyable
manner. As a result, they experience enhanced emotional regulation, reduced
meltdowns, and an improved sense of inner calm.
Cultivating Social Skills
Collaborative music-making experiences encourage social interaction among children
with autism. Group sessions create opportunities for shared experiences and joint
attention. As children synchronize their actions to the rhythm of music, they naturally
develop their social skills.
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Enhancing Communication Skills
Children on the autism spectrum may face verbal communication challenges. Music
therapy provides an alternative channel for self-expression and communication.
Melodies, rhythms, and non-verbal cues become a means through which they convey
their thoughts and feelings.
On top of that, the repetitive and structured nature of music aids in language
development. That way, children can articulate their words and phrases better.
The Mechanisms Behind Music Therapy for Autism
The mechanisms of music therapy involve a complex interplay of psychological,
neurological, and emotional processes. Research has shed light on how music
therapy promotes therapeutic benefits, including neurological pathways, sensory
integration, and rhythmic entertainment.
Neurological Pathways
Music works like magic, activating multiple brain regions, making it a powerful tool for
cognitive development. In children with autism, music can stimulate neural
connections, aiding in developing skills such as attention, memory, and problem-
solving. This is especially important for rewiring pathways that may be affected by the
condition.
Sensory Integration
It’s common for children on the spectrum to experience sensory sensitivities. Music
therapy can help them modulate sensory inputs, gradually reducing sensitivities and
improving sensory integration. By engaging with different auditory stimuli, children
adapt to various sensory experiences.
Rhythmic Entertainment
Rhythmic patterns in music can synchronize with motor movements. Children on the
autism spectrum sometimes struggle with motor coordination. Luckily, music therapy
utilizes rhythmic entertainment to improve that part of their development. Clapping,
dancing, and tapping to the beat can translate to improved motor abilities.
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The Orff and Nordoff/Robbins Approaches
Parents of children with autism might hear about the “Orff music therapy” approach
and Orff music instruments. These are percussion instruments, such as drums and
triangles, which can be played without any previous musical knowledge.
Music therapy is not about improving musical skills or perfecting the voice. Rather,
this approach assumes that there is a level of musicality in every child and focuses
on improving communication skills social skills, and making it easier for the autistic
child to build relationships with other people.
Parents might also read about the “Nordoff/Robbins” approach, aiming for
psychological development. Here, the focus is more on musical development than in
the case of the Orff approach. Musical instruments and the voice of the child play an
important role.
Practical Applications of Music Therapy
Music therapy for autism has many practical applications across various settings.
However, there are three most important factors to remember: individualized
approaches, incorporating favorite tunes, and progress tracking.
Individualized Approaches
Every child on the spectrum is unique, and so are their needs. Music therapy offers
flexibility to tailor interventions to every child’s preferences and sensitivities. Because
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of that, therapists often work closely with parents to understand the child’s strengths
and challenges.
Incorporating Favorite Tunes
Familiar music can be a powerful tool for engaging children with autism. Incorporating
their favorite songs into therapy sessions can motivate them and create a sense of
comfort. These special musical selections can bridge the gap between the child’s
comfort zone and the therapeutic environment.
Progress Tracking
Measuring the impact of music therapy is essential for tracking progress. Therapists
use various assessment tools to monitor cognitive, emotional, and social
advancements. This ensures that the therapy remains effective and allows
adjustments to be made as the child grows.
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Conclusion
All in all, music therapy is an approach worth considering for parents who want to
help release their child from feelings of isolation and anxiety. Music therapy can be
conducted in a group or in an individual setting and can potentially improve
spontaneous self-expression.
Aiming to achieve the highest standard of care, a good music therapist will ensure
that each child with autism experiences joy in music and movement. Therapists
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should support each unique child to learn how to express happiness, anger, grief, and
anxiety, and perhaps this can later help them to learn how to cope with these feelings
in their everyday lives.
FAQs
Q: How does music therapy differ from traditional therapies for
autism?
A: Music therapy uses the power of music to address various developmental
domains, making it distinct from traditional therapies.
Q: Can music therapy completely replace other forms of
treatment?
A: Music therapy is often used as a complementary approach alongside other
treatments, which offers a comprehensive support system.
Q: Are there specific types of music that work better for children
with autism?
A: Preferences vary among children. However, calming and repetitive melodies
typically have a positive impact.
Q: Can music therapy benefit adults with autism as well?
A: Yes, music therapy can be adapted to suit the needs of adults with autism, helping
them enhance their quality of life.
Q: How long does it take to see noticeable improvements
through music therapy?
A: The timeline varies for each child. Some may show improvements within a few
weeks, while others might take longer to show signs of progress.
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