| A relatively new method for treating individuals that | | | | with speech. Some patients can only make humming |
| are suffering from autism is musical therapy. When | | | | or grunting sounds, while others have developed the |
| discussing treatment options, serious consideration | | | | ability to put together words and sentences that will |
| should be given to incorporating this method. Musical | | | | at least allow them to communicate. Regardless of |
| therapy often helps patients improve their | | | | how much skill the patient has with speech, there is |
| temperament as well as their learning skills. By | | | | something to be gained by participating in musical |
| connecting to the non-verbal sections of our minds, | | | | therapy. |
| music proves to be an excellent form of therapy for | | | | It is not unusual for autistic patients to be particularly |
| those suffering from disorders that limit their | | | | good with music. Some have excellent pitch; others |
| communication skills. If you haven't had much success | | | | can learn to play instruments with a minimum of |
| with other forms of autism treatment, you may be | | | | instruction. Even if the person doesn't show amazing |
| pleasantly surprised by how much this method may | | | | musical abilities, some difficult to handle autistic |
| help. | | | | patients have musical abilities that greatly exceed |
| The reason that musical therapy can be so effective | | | | their other abilities. Musical therapists will use music to |
| is because you can use it in addition to other | | | | link this type of learning to other types of learning, |
| treatments for learning social skills. By its very nature, | | | | including speech, social and behavioral development. |
| music therapy is non-threatening to patients allowing | | | | This can also be used as a means of communicating |
| behavior and social skills to be improved by the many | | | | emotions and to develop the memory. |
| games that can be played using this method. Autistic | | | | Music therapy can be very beneficial to autistic |
| patients can break through social barriers through the | | | | patients on its own and when combined with other |
| encouragement of eye contact during singing or the | | | | treatment techniques. A trained music therapist can |
| use of an instrument, such as a harmonica, that | | | | teach a patient how to communicate using nonverbal |
| needs to be in close proximity to your face. | | | | methods, which makes it easier for autistic individuals |
| The most important way that music therapy helps | | | | to learn. It may be in your best interest to spend |
| autistic patients is by helping to develop their use of | | | | some time researching musical therapy to see if this |
| speech. Music helps us connect to the verbal and the | | | | form of treatment may be a good choice for you |
| non-verbal functions of our minds. Many people that | | | | and your loved ones. |
| suffer from autism have varying degrees of difficulty | | | | |