| Music Therapy Autism | | | | and symbolizing. |
| A professional who specializes in autism can suggest | | | | A music therapist will attempt to establish a |
| distinct treatment for autistic’s that can | | | | communicative relationship between the behavior of |
| experience a ample insured effect on their behavior. | | | | a child with autism and a specific sound. An autistic |
| One this service is Music therapy. Music therapy is a | | | | person may have an easier time recognizing or being |
| controlled music experience that is used to facilitate | | | | more open to these sounds than they would to a |
| positive change in human behavior. | | | | verbal approach. This musical awareness, and the |
| Each session of music therapy is carefully planned, | | | | relationship between the autistics’ actions and |
| carried out, and evaluated to suit the specific needs | | | | the music, has potential to encourage communication. |
| of each patient. Music therapy can include any of the | | | | Music Therapy Autism |
| following musical activities: • Listening to music and | | | | Another form of music therapy that may help with |
| or musical creation • Playing musical instruments | | | | communication is to play a wind instrument (IE flute). |
| (any instrument can be used) • Moving to music | | | | It is thought that by playing such an instrument, you |
| • Singing As far as autism is concerned, studies | | | | become aware of the functioning of your teeth, |
| have shown that music therapy has a significant, | | | | jaws, lips and tongue. Thus, playing a wind instrument |
| positive influence when used to treat autistic | | | | almost mirrors the functioning required in order to |
| individuals. Participating in music therapy allows | | | | produce speech vocalizations. Encouraged emotional |
| autistics the opportunity to experience | | | | fulfillment – Most autistics lack the ability to |
| non-threatening outside stimulation, as they don’t | | | | affectively respond to stimuli that would otherwise |
| engage in direct human contact. | | | | allow them to enjoy an appropriate emotional charge. |
| As was previously mentioned, music therapy is made | | | | Thus, since most autistics respond well to music |
| specific to each individual. This is extremely important, | | | | stimuli, music therapy has been able to provide |
| because what may be positively received by one | | | | autistics with an environment that is free of fear, |
| autistic may be negative to another. That being said, | | | | stimuli considered threatening, etc. During a music |
| let’s take a look at the positive influence music | | | | therapy session, an autistic individual has the freedom |
| therapy has had on autistic individuals. | | | | to behave in specific ways that allow them to |
| Music therapy - Improved socio-emotional | | | | discover and express themselves when they want |
| development: In the first steps of a relationship, | | | | and choose. |
| autistics tend to physically ignore or reject the | | | | They can make noise, bang instruments, shout and |
| attempts of social contact made by others. Music | | | | express and experience the pleasure of emotional |
| therapy helps to stop this social withdrawal by an | | | | satisfaction. Musical therapy has also helped autistic |
| initial object relation with a musical instrument. Instead | | | | individuals by: • Teaching social skills • |
| of seeing the instrument as threatening, autistic | | | | Improving language comprehension • Encouraging |
| children are usually fascinated by the shape, feel and | | | | the desire to communicate • Making creative-self |
| sound of it. Therefore, the musical instrument | | | | expression possible • Reducing non-communicative |
| provides an initial point of contact between the | | | | speech • Decreasing echolalia (uncontrolled and |
| autistic and the other individual by acting as an | | | | instant repetition of the words spoken by another) |
| intermediary. | | | | Keep in mind that although music therapy can have |
| Assisted in both verbal and non-verbal communication | | | | positive effects on autistic individuals, it is vital that |
| – When music therapy is used to aid in | | | | an autistic receives such treatment from a trained |
| communication, its goal is to improve the production | | | | and experienced musical therapist. Don't let your child |
| of vocalization and speech, as well as stimulate the | | | | suffer anymore! Lead your child out of his world |
| mental process of comprehending, conceptualizing | | | | through Music Therapy Autism program now! |