Music therapy is based on a conceptual model that uses music to accomplish therapeutic goals. Music therapists believe that music works on several levels, including cognitive, emotional, and neurological. Ideally, the children make themselves more available to the therapist and learn key skills as the music also works on these deeper levels. Music therapy is considered a supplemental treatment, to be used in conjunction with other treatments.
First Developed:
1950s
Overall Philosophy:
The approach is based on observations of early interactions between caregivers and very young children. In a normally developing child, there is a strong motivation to communicate. It is a two-way process fostered by mutual enjoyment. In this approach, the adult is encouraged to highlight the interaction with music, which may originate with the voice or with an instrument. It is argued that participating in music therapy allows the person with autism to experience and explore a wider range of emotions. The nature of music is to combine a secure structure with constant change; in therapy, music can form a familiar environment that the person with autism can participate in, occasionally diverting into episodes of more spontaneous and new experiences of play, according to (or sometimes slightly beyond) his or her ability.
Popularity:
Music therapy is established as a profession in over 50 countries other than the UK, and a World Music Therapy Federation has been formed to promote the understanding, use and development of music therapy for the international mental health community.
Time required for treatment:
Music therapy sessions are usually held weekly. The number and duration of the sessions is normally agreed in advance to suit the particular needs and circumstances of the client. It may be decided that a client would respond better to music therapy as part of a group than on a one-to-one basis with the therapist. Because structure and consistency are so important for this client group, music therapy ideally takes place in the same place each week, in a quiet room where there are no distractions.
Treatment cost:
Cost will vary as music therapy can be practiced individually, in groups, with a therapist or by oneself.
Who directs the treatment:
A trained music therapist directs the treatment. There are various approaches to music therapy, but most rely on spontaneous musical improvisation. Typically, the therapist uses percussion or tuned instruments, or her own voice, to respond creatively to the sounds produced by the client, and encourages the client to create his or her own musical language. Instruments are selected that are non-threatening to the client.
Where does the treatment take place?
Home, school, or clinic setting
Training material needed:
Instruments, voice.
How success is defined?
Communication by the autistic child.
Biggest Success Story:
Music therapy to treat autism has been subjected to numerous studies, which generally indicate that, although far more restricted than in musical communication with a normally developing child, music can stimulate and develop more meaningful and playful communication in people with autism. Furthermore, music therapy can increase the communicative behavior of children with autism, and these skills are generalized to other contexts.
Website:
www.musictherapy.org/
Another website with substantial studies done with autistic children and music therapy: http://www.mtabc.com/examples/autism.htm
Main concern:
More evidence-based research is still needed to explain the success of music therapy.