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The Benefits Of Music Therapy
For Autism
By Rachel Evans
A professional who specializes in autism can suggest different treatment
for autistic’s that can have a significant positive effect on their behavior. One
such treatment is Music therapy.
Music therapy is a controlled music experience that
is used to facilitate positive change in human behavior. Each session of music therapy
is carefully planned, carried out, and evaluated to suit the specific needs of each
patient. Music therapy can include any of the following musical activities:
• Listening
to music and/or musical creation
• Playing musical instruments (any instrument can
be used)
• Moving to music
• Singing
As far as autism is concerned, studies have
shown that music therapy has a significant, positive influence when used to treat
autistic individuals. Participating in music therapy allows autistics the opportunity
to experience non-
As was previously mentioned, music therapy is made specific to each
individual. This is extremely important, because what may be positively received
by one autistic may be negative to another. That being said, let’s take a look at
the positive influence music therapy has had on autistic individuals.
Music therapy
-
Improved socio-
Instead of seeing the instrument as threatening, autistic children are usually fascinated by the shape, feel and sound of it. Therefore, the musical instrument provides an initial point of contact between the autistic and the other individual by acting as an intermediary.
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Assisted in both verbal and non-
A music therapist will attempt to establish a communicative relationship between
the behavior of a child with autism and a specific sound. An autistic person may
have an easier time recognizing or being more open to these sounds than they would
to a verbal approach. This musical awareness, and the relationship between the autistics’
actions and the music, has potential to encourage communication.
Another form of
music therapy that may help with communication is to play a wind instrument (IE flute).
It is thought that by playing such an instrument, you become aware of the functioning
of your teeth, jaws, lips and tongue. Thus, playing a wind instrument almost mirrors
the functioning required in order to produce speech vocalizations.
Encouraged emotional
fulfillment – Most autistics lack the ability to affectively respond to stimuli that
would otherwise allow them to enjoy an appropriate emotional charge. Thus, since
most autistics respond well to music stimuli, music therapy has been able to provide
autistics with an environment that is free of fear, stimuli considered threatening,
etc.
During a music therapy session, an autistic individual has the freedom to behave
in specific ways that allow them to discover and express themselves when they want
and choose. They can make noise, bang instruments, shout and express and experience
the pleasure of emotional satisfaction.
Musical therapy has also helped autistic
individuals by:
• Teaching social skills
• Improving language comprehension
• Encouraging
the desire to communicate
• Making creative-
• Reducing non-
• Decreasing echolalia (uncontrolled and instant repetition of the words spoken
by another)
Keep in mind that although music therapy can have positive effects on
autistic individuals, it is vital that an autistic receives such treatment from a
trained and experienced musical therapist.
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