Music Therapy Month Series: Music Therapy and Autism

Music therapy can make an incredible difference in the lives of individuals with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

How?

Music is Engaging:

Music captures and helps maintain attention. It is highly motivating 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 is Communicative:

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 is Emotional:

Music therapy allows individuals with diagnoses on the autism spectrum the opportunity to develop identification and appropriate expression of their emotions.

Music is Stimulating:

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 is a Sensory Experience:

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.

Music is Structured:

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. (source: www.musictherapy.org)

MTEC services many individuals with diagnoses of ASD.

MTEC therapists travel to schools, adult group homes, and a variety of private facilities. We also have many clients that come for individual sessions at MTEC, as well as for piano, guitar and voice lessons. MTEC’s co-directors and therapists have presented countless presentations on the benefits of music therapy with individuals with ASD.

A mother of one of MTEC’s clients with ASD said:

“Jack has responded very positively to music therapy. He receives music therapy at school and privately at home. Although Jack has difficulties with behavior, he is usually very happy and compliant during music therapy. Through music therapy, Jack has increased his expressive language, turn-taking skills, interactions with the therapist, ability to wait and ability to attend for longer periods of time.”

We would love to hear from you about your experiences with music therapy and the diagnosis of ASD. Feel free to leave a comment below!