The Effects Of Music Therapy For Children With Autism ✓ Solved

The effects of music therapy on children with autism have garnered significant research interest and demonstrate the potential benefits of musical interventions in enhancing social skills, communication, and overall emotional well-being. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often struggle with social interactions and communication, which can hinder their ability to integrate into various environments, including educational and social settings. This paper aims to discuss the various effects of music therapy for children with autism, supported by recent studies and literature exploring its efficacy.

Understanding Music Therapy and Autism

Music therapy is a therapeutic intervention that involves the use of music to address various physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Specifically, for children with autism, music therapy can significantly aid in improving communication skills, enhancing social interactions, and fostering emotional expressions. Research indicates that music can stimulate both emotional and cognitive responses, allowing children with autism to engage more fully with their environment and peers.

Evidence Supporting Music Therapy

Numerous studies have provided compelling evidence regarding the positive impacts of music therapy on children with autism. For instance, Bharathi, Venugopal, and Vellingiri (2019) conducted a study published in The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, which demonstrated that music therapy improved social skills in children with autism. This study involved 54 children and was structured with a pre-test/post-test design, showcasing the lasting effects of music therapy over a three-month period.

Another review by Calleja-Bautista et al. (2016) highlights the effectiveness of music therapy interventions across 18 studies, finding that 11 demonstrated statistically significant improvements in various areas of functioning among children with ASD. Such studies establish a consensus in the literature that music therapy can be a valuable tool in the therapeutic arsenal for occupational therapists working with children on the autism spectrum.

Neurodevelopmental Benefits of Music

In their 2018 article, Janzen and Thaut explored the neurodevelopmental implications of music for individuals with autism, suggesting that musical engagement could potentially improve motor skills and attention, both of which are often significantly impaired in children with ASD. This perspective shifts the focus from merely improving social-emotional behaviors to addressing core deficits associated with autism.

Comparative Studies of Music and Non-Music Interventions

Sharda et al. (2018) contributed to the literature by comparing music interventions to non-music interventions, revealing that music therapy significantly enhanced social communication and auditory-motor connectivity. This study underscores the neurological benefits aligned with music engagement and provides clear evidence that music can promote brain connectivity, which is often affected in children with autism.

Broader Effects of Music Therapy

The findings of Shi, Lin, and Xie (2016) through their meta-analysis further strengthen the case for music therapy, indicating improvements across various domains, including mood, language, and behavior, in children with autism. This highlights not only the multifaceted benefits of music therapy but also its viability as a treatment option for this population.

Moreover, Woodman et al. (2018) investigated the effect of music on exercise intensity in children with autism, recognizing the unique challenges children with ASD face in physical activity. Their findings indicated that the presence of music could enhance exercise engagement among children, thus indirectly supporting their overall health and well-being.

Conclusion

Overall, the evidence suggests that music therapy holds significant promise as an effective therapeutic intervention for children with autism. Its benefits extend beyond social skills to encompass emotional regulation, cognitive engagement, and physical activity enhancement. For occupational therapists, incorporating music therapy into clinical practice can facilitate more holistic growth for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

References

  • Bharathi, G., Venugopal, A., & Vellingiri, B. (2019). Music therapy as a therapeutic tool in improving the social skills of autistic children. The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 55(1).

  • Calleja-Bautista, M., Sanz-Cervera, P., & Tarraga-Minguez, R. (2016). The effectiveness of music therapy in autism spectrum disorder: a literature review. Psychologist Papers, 37(2).

  • Janzen, T., & Thaut, M. (2018). Rethinking the role of music in the neurodevelopment of autism spectrum disorder. Music & Science, 1.

  • Sharda, M., Tuerk, C., Chowdhury, R., Jamey, K., Foster, N., & Custo-Blanch, M. et al. (2018). Music improves social communication and auditory–motor connectivity in children with autism. Translational Psychiatry, 8(1).

  • Shi, Z., Lin, G., & Xie, Q. (2016). Effects of music therapy on mood, language, behavior, and social skills in children with autism: A meta-analysis. Chinese Nursing Research, 3(3).

  • Woodman, A., Breviglia, E., Mori, Y., Golden, R., Maina, J., & Wisniewski, H. (2018). The Effect of Music on Exercise Intensity among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 7(3), 38.