Autism Spectrum Disorders: Music Therapy Research and Evidence Based Practice Support STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Music therapy is a well-established professional health discipline that uses music as the therapeutic stimulus to achieve non-musical treatment goals. Research supports connections between speech and singing, rhythm and motor behavior, memory for song and memory for academic material, and overall ability of preferred music to enhance mood, attention, and behavior to optimize the student’s ability to learn and interact. Therefore, one of the purposes of music therapy for persons with autism is to provide the individual with an initial assist using melodic and rhythmic strategies, followed by fading of musical cues to aid in generalization and transfer to other environments. Recognized as a related service, music therapy serves as an integral component in helping the child with special needs attain educational goals either through direct or consultant services. The strength of evidence is growing and music therapy interventions were reviewed for quality of evidence by the Cochrane Collaborative with favorable results. STANDARDIZATION: Music therapy sessions are documented in a treatment plan and delivered in accordance with standards of practice. Music selections and certain active music making activities are modified for client preferences and individualized needs (i.e., song selection and music may vary). REPLICATION: Yes; has been used with different providers and populations also. OUTCOMES: Increased attention Improved behavior Decreased self-stimulation Enhanced auditory processing Improved cognitive functioning Decreased agitation Increased socialization Improved verbal skills Successful and safe self-expression Enhanced sensory-motor skills American Music Therapy Association 2010 American Music Therapy Association 8455 Colesville Rd., Ste. 1000 • Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Tel. (301) 589-3300 • Fax (301)589-5175 • musictherapy.org
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 15:51:20 +0000
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