What is Music Therapy
Music therapy is a well-established allied health profession similar to occupational and physical therapy. It is a field that uses music therapeutically to address behavioral, social,
psychological, communicative, physical, sensory-motor, and/or cognitive functioning.
Music therapy is unique in that music is a special medium or tool with which professional music therapists work toward treatment goals. It is a healing art based on scientific principles,
grounded in research.
Music Therapy and Individuals with diagnoses on the Autism Spectrum
For individuals with diagnosis on the autism spectrum, music therapy provides a unique variety of music experiences in an intentional and developmentally appropriate manner to effect
changes in behavior and to facilitate development of skills.
Why Music Therapy for Individuals with diagnoses on the Autism Spectrum?
• Music gives responses and is accepted from all humans. Music therapists meet clients at their own levels and allow them to grow from there. Music as a medium is very easy to
be adapted and meet the needs of each individual.
• People with diagnoses on the autism spectrum often show a heightened interest and response to music, making it a an excellent therapeutic tool to work with them
• Music is motivating and enjoyable
• Music can promote relaxation, learning, and self-expression
• Music therapy can address multiple developmental issues simultaneously
• With the structure and the sensory input that music has can help to establish response and positive ιinteractions and organization
How does Music Therapy Make a Difference for Individuals with Diagnoses on the Autism Spectrum ?
Music therapy can be effective in addressing the typical characteristics of autism in many ways. A lot of goals and objectives can be met through music therapy.
Some of them are:
• Music is considered a “universal language” throughout the world. It becomes the bridge and a non-threatening setting between people and the therapist or between individuals
and their environment, facilitating relationships, trust, learning, self-expression, and communication
• Music captures and helps maintain attention. It is highly motivating and engaging and may be used as a natural “reinforcer” for desired responses. Music therapy can stimulate
clients to reduce negative and /or self-stimulatory responses and increase participation in more appropriate and socially acceptable ways.
• Music therapy can enable those without language to communicate, participate and express themselves non-verbally. It also assists in the development of verbal communication,
speech, and language skills.
• During a music therapy session shared play, turn-taking, listening and responding to another person are met. This way children and adults with autism get to accommodate and
address other styles of communication and therefore “forces” to communicate with each other.
• Music therapy allows individuals with diagnoses on the autism spectrum the opportunity to develop identification and appropriate expression of their emotions
• Because music is processed in both hemispheres of the brain, music can stimulate cognitive functioning and may be used for remediation of some speech/language skills
• Music provides concrete, multi-sensory stimulation (auditory, visual, and tactile). The rhythmic component of music is very organizing for the sensory systems of individuals
diagnosed with autism. As a result , auditory processing and other sensory-motor, perceptual/motor, gross and fine motor skills can be enhanced through music therapy
• Musical structures provide a sense of security and familiarity in the music therapy setting, encouraging clients to attempt new tasks within the predictable.
• Many people with diagnoses on the autism spectrum have innate musical talents; thus music therapy provides an opportunity for successful experiences. Emphasis is placed on
strengths, which in turn may be utilized to address each individual’s areas of need. Emphasis is given on the journey towards the goal rather than the goal itself!
by Giorgina Charalambous
Music Therapist