Music therapy is an approach to psychological and behavioral treatment that addresses physical, cognitive, emotional, and social needs for individuals of all ages, from young children to older adults. The length of music therapy varies greatly depending on each child’s unique circumstances. Factors that may influence the duration of therapy include age, the specific challenges being addressed, the severity of the challenges, and the frequency of therapy sessions. It’s important to maintain open communication with your child’s therapist to track progress and adjust treatment plans as needed. Up to 30% of children with autism are nonverbal, and many low-functioning children have difficulty following verbal commands and have a difficult time with social awareness like understanding body language. Music experiences provide a means of self-expression that does not require using words.
Rhythmic entrainment is a technique that utilizes the power of rhythm to engage individuals with autism. It involves synchronizing movements and actions to a steady beat or rhythm. Read more about piano lessons for autism here. This technique helps individuals develop a sense of timing, coordination, and body awareness.
Multidisciplinary Approach
Autistic language is often characterized by muteness, occasional babbling, noncommunicative speech (echolalia, etc.), or limited communicative intent. I am a Speech-Language Pathologist with 14 years of experience working with children and adults who have communication difficulties.
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For children with autism who have difficulty processing spoken language, music can be a way to bridge that gap and help them communicate better. Music for autism is a non-threatening way to provide stimulation and calming sensory input. This is a session excerpt demonstrating how identifying & labeling objects, and general language use can be encouraged and practiced in music therapy sessions. At the point of diagnosis, doctors and parents can begin to build an overall treatment plan. While therapies like ABA therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy might make up the bulk of the treatment program, complementary therapies like music therapy can round out the overall plan. The goal of music therapy is to strengthen certain skills in the client, first in the therapeutic context. Then, the therapist encourages transfer of these skills to other parts of life.
This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of the individual’s development are supported and that interventions are coordinated and complementary. This treatment can help a child with autism improve connections in their brain using a variety of techniques. Dancing, singing, and playing instruments can all improve motor functions and emotional regulation. Listening to certain types of music and interacting in music therapy groups can improve communication and social skills. Additionally, a skilled therapist can use music with children to increase their social interaction and improve social skills. Passing and sharing instruments, music and movement games, gathering around a central instrument, learning to listen and singing of greetings are just a few of the ways music therapy sessions can increase interaction. Basic social skills, such as turn-taking, eye contact, waiting, listening and active participation are improved and interactive play is encouraged, making it easier for the children to establish relationships and peer interactions.
Long-term Benefits and Considerations
Specific programs are delivered according to children’s developmental levels, family burdens and etiological factors (e.g., antiepileptic drug in case of seizures). Interventions provided at school or specialized institutions play a key role in enhancing pedagogic and academic achievements. Specific intervention form speech therapists, occupational therapists, reading specialists may also target a specific function (9).
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