Music Therapy and Indivuals with Diagnoses on the Austism Spectrum
Adapted from the American Music Therapy Association’s website
Why Music Therapy for Individuals with Diagnoses on the Autism Spectrum?
The literature reports that most individuals with autism respond positively to music (DeMyer, 1974; Edgerton, 1994; Euper, 1968; Snell, 1996; Thaut, 1992).
- People with diagnoses on the autism spectrum often show a heightened interest and response to music, making it an excellent therapeutic tool to work with them.
- Music is a very basic human response, spanning all degrees of ability/disability.
- Music therapists are able to meet clients at their own levels and allow them to grow from there. The malleability of music makes it a medium that can be adapted to meet the needs of each individual.
- Music is motivating and enjoyable.
- Music can promote relatedness, relaxation, learning, and self-expression.
- Music therapy addresses multiple developmental issues simultaneously.
- Music therapy can provide success-oriented opportunities for achievement and mastery.
- The structure and sensory input inherent in music help to establish response and role expectations, positive interactions, and organization.
How Does Music Therapy Make a Difference for Individuals with Diagnoses on the Autism Spectrum?
Individuals with diagnoses on the autism spectrum may display “qualitative impairments in social interaction and communication” and often manifest “restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities.” Delays and/or abnormal functioning usually occur before age 3 and may be marked by a lack of symbolic or imaginative play as well. (Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV, pp. 70-71).
- Music therapy can be effective in addressing the typical characteristics of autism listed above in the following ways:
- Music is considered a “universal language” which provides bridges in a non-threatening setting between people and/or between individuals and their environment, facilitating relationships, learning, self-expression, and communication.
- Music captures and helps maintain attention. It is highly motivating and engaging and may be used as a natural “reinforcer” for desired responses. Music therapy can stimulate clients to reduce negative and/or self-stimulatory responses and increase participation in more appropriate and socially acceptable ways.
- Music therapy can enable those without language to communicate, participate and express themselves non-verbally. Very often music therapy also assists in the development of verbal communication, speech, and language skills. The interpersonal timing and reciprocity in shared play, turn-taking, listening and responding to another person are augmented in music therapy with children and adults with autism to accommodate and address their styles of communication.
- Music therapy allows individuals with diagnoses on the autism spectrum the opportunity to develop identification and appropriate expression of their emotions.
- Because music is processed in both hemispheres of the brain, music can stimulate cognitive functioning and may be used for remediation of some speech/language skills.
- Music provides concrete, multi-sensory stimulation (auditory, visual, and tactile). The rhythmic component of music is very organizing for the sensory systems of individuals diagnosed with autism. As a result, auditory processing and other sensory-motor, perceptual/motor, gross and fine motor skills can be enhanced through music therapy.
- Musical elements and structures provide a sense of security and familiarity in the music therapy setting, encouraging clients to attempt new tasks within this predictable but malleable framework.
- Many people with diagnoses on the autism spectrum have innate musical talents; thus, music therapy provides an opportunity for successful experiences. Emphasis is placed on strengths, which in turn may be utilized to address each individual’s areas of need.
How Does Music Therapy Help Families of Individuals with Diagnoses on the Autism Spectrum?
Families of those with diagnoses on the autism spectrum may reap many benefits from music therapy:
- An individual’s growth through music therapy may improve the quality of life for the whole family. If the client’s behavior is improved, there may be less stress or strain on other family members. In addition, with an increase in skills, the client may become more independent and aware and more able to interact and communicate with others.
- Music therapy can provide additional opportunities for positive interaction and building relationships among family members and the client. New music-related leisure options among family members may be explored, while providing an acceptable emotional outlet.
- Greater family cohesiveness, support, and coping skills may be achieved through shared, equal music making during sessions or in the home environment.
- Music therapy interventions can teach family members alternative ways to interact, socialize, and communicate with their loved ones.
- Music therapy can help promote generalization/transfer of skills in sessions to the home environment.
- Participation in music therapy often allows family members to see their loved one in a “different light,” to witness their relative’s areas of strength and aptitude, perhaps seeing or hearing novel responses in this setting that they have not noted elsewhere. Music therapy may provide hope for the future and belief in the individual’s abilities.
Is There Research to Support Music Therapy for Individuals with Diagnoses on the Autism Spectrum?
Through peer-reviewed journals inside the profession such as Music Therapy, the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, and extensive articles in journals outside the profession, American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) has promoted much research exploring the benefits of music therapy with individuals with diagnoses on the autism spectrum. A research bibliography of select articles and publications is available from AMTA for those interested in specific research examples at http://www.musictherapy.org.
Additional Music Therapy Information: