Autism and Music Therapy

Written by Eisla Sebastian

When you have a child that has autism you desperately seek things that will allow you to connect with them. One thing that has been effective at reaching many kids with autism is music. The connection between music and autism has not really been explained, but it most likely has to do with the structure that is inherent in music, its sensory stimulation and perhaps the stimulation of the music processing portion of the brain. Whatever the reason is, music can be a great tool for helping kids with autism to express themselves and to manage their behavior.

Music Therapy
Music therapy can be used with kids that have autism. It involves the use of music in a therapeutic setting to help produce desired reactions or behaviors. For example, it can be used to connect with autistic children who are normally withdrawn or non-responsive to people trying to communicate with them. Music therapy can also be used to help downgrade behavioral outbursts or to encourage physical interactions with another person.

Music as a Soother
Music has the ability to elicit emotional responses from people. This characteristic can be used to help sooth kids with autism when they are having a melt down or having a difficult time adjusting to a new environment. The key to using music as a soothing device is to find the type of music that your child find soothing, interesting or enjoyable. This can take some time and it will take experimentation. However, when you find the music track that works you will notice its impact right away.

Music Equipment
If you want to use music as a soothing tool or as a stimulator you will need to pick up a few pieces of equipment. First you will need a audio player such as a CD player or a boombox. When you purchase electronics look for devices that are designed for young children. These items are more resistant to damage caused by drops and impacts. In addition to a music player you will also need to pick up a good pair of headphones. You don't want to get the kind that insert into your ears, but the kind that have cushioned ear-muffs. If you can afford it, the ones that can cancel out sound work great. Finally you will need a collection of CDs or MP3 downloads, depending on what type of music player you select. If you are low on cash you can also utilize Internet radio stations like Slacker for a great selection of free music from all sorts of genres.

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Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Autism and Music Therapy: Ideas and Theories of a Parent

There are many, many theories on the use of Music Therapy for children with Autism. And while my own son has never actually received Music Therapy officially, music has provided him with comfort and stability during his 12 years of life so far.

When he was just 18 months old, Matt could not walk, but he could bop to music. Incidentally, it was Janet Jackson's Design of a Decade that he started out with. After that, he expanded into Barney, Teletubbies, Sesame Street, Disney, 80's music, Classical Music, Motown, and eventually worked his way up to more current artists like Clay Aiken, Phil Collins, Elton John and Evanescence. He also enjoys Enya and Yanni. The key to using music as therapy for a child with Autism is the type of music. That is my theory anyways.

I have found, through experience, that the calmer the style of music, the calmer the child is. This is especially important with children on the Autism Spectrum. Oftentimes, children with Autism have problems with aggression and are prone to fits of violence. This is not the case with everyone, but to be on the safe side, it is best to ere on the side of caution and keep them away from the more "violent" types of music like Rap or Hip Hop. I have nothing against the genre in particular, but I don't feel it's appropriate for children with Autism to listen to music with questionable lyrics that talk about violence or other things of an inappropriate nature.

It is imperative that children with Autism be exposed to music early on if they are able to handle the stimulation. Some children with Autism can not tolerate music. For those that can however, starting early is the key. Often times, a soft Concerto or Meditation music is a good place to start, especially with toddlers. I used to help Matt go to sleep by playing music that was nothing more than the sounds of the Ocean. It worked. He couldn't go to sleep without it.

As he grew older, he did not need it, but even now, he is using a walkman with a CD of Evanescence in it, to keep himself calm when he needs help. He has told me as much. The school he attends also uses a sort of Music Therapy with him, allowing him to play a keyboard they have at the school. They also encourage him to go into the lower grade classrooms to sing to the younger children. It has worked wonders for both his self-esteem and his social skills, too. As a matter of fact, this year was the second year he sang in the school talent show.

The most interesting thing about this is that he was able to teach himself how to play the keyboard solely based on the music he's heard. He taught himself more than a dozen Christmas Carols and two Star Trek themes songs. All by just listening to the music. He had no sheet music at the beginning. And when I did buy him the Big Notes Sheet Music, the notes he was playing were identical to the sheet music. And I know that he's not the only Autistic Child to have this gift. It's very inspirational to see that, despite his Autism, he's got a definite gift. One that makes him very happy.

And it all started with music. So, if you have a toddler, or even an older child, see what music can do for them. It will be one of the best things you'll ever do to help make their Autism easier to deal with.

One last note. For most kids, Disney is a staple in every household. Try showing them Fantasia or Fantasia 2000..it will introduce them to classical music composers like George Gershwin and Beethoven. And that's not a bad place to start.

At least that's my theory. I hope that this provides assistance to other parents with children on the Autism Spectrum.

By : Elizabeth Tabian-Sosin

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Music Therapy: Effective Treatment for Autism

Implication and Use

In recent years, autism has gained widespread recognition as a significant complication among children, affecting growth and development. With far more children diagnosed today with autism, than in years past, measures have been taken to create therapy programs that are uniquely designed to address the needs of autistic children.

Music therapy is a service that is becoming increasingly more common for autistic children and their families. For children in the age group that is most interested in capturing their autonomy, usually around age three, the use of music therapy may have the greatest implications. As the period when children begin to express an interest in achieving tasks on their own, music therapy can assist the autistic child in doing so through the management of verbal expression.

For children with autism, the interest in gaining autonomy and performing tasks for themselves may not be enticing. As a result, many autistic children become extremely dependent on their parents for every aspect of their care. With the use of music therapy, autistic children can learn to not only perform self-care tasks, but also value the task for what it is; a chance to develop some form of independence.

Because autism may lead your child to become easily confused with tasks and instructions, self-care can often be a challenge for the autistic child to comprehend. Using music and lyrics, which incorporate these tasks, can assist a child in making that connection, cognitively, and learn to appreciate and perform the task. In the children's show, Barney and Friends, many children learn to incorporate independent tasks into their lives through the songs and lyrics provided. This same concept works for autistic children who have difficulty in performing these same tasks.

When struggling to teach your child the basis self-care tasks, such as brushing teeth, using the restroom and even taking a bath, it may be necessary to seek the guidance of a music therapist. With the intervention of a music therapist, you can obtain songs and music that is designed to teach your child these processes at home. In addition, a music therapist, with daily therapy, can guide your child through these tasks using music and lyrics. While it may seem odd to sing the steps of a simple self-care task, children with autism often process this form of learning best.

While there are many treatment options to consider for autistic children, music therapy is making great strides in improving the learning for all children, especially those with autism. By applying lyrics and music to daily activities, children learn to not only perform valuable independent tasks, but also learn to appreciate the task for what it is. When seeking treatment for your autistic child, ask your pediatrician about the services of a music therapist.

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