Anxiety is a common partner of autism spectrum disorders. The anxiety and stress that someone who is diagnosed with autism experiences is the same in many ways as the anxiety and stress that we all experience, and it can be alleviated with the same techniques. Music calms anxiety, reduces stress and pain, and is therapeutic for those who are on the spectrum as well.

 

An even more moving and compelling benefit to music therapy for autism is its ability to establish communication with non-verbal autistic kids. Music can bring joy to them and allow them to form a connection with the therapist or others around them. One reason for its effectiveness may be that music has less of a social requirement, and because of that, may be less anxiety-inducing than verbal interaction. But nevertheless, a sense of musical awareness can help encourage communication and the beginnings of a bond between an autistic child and the music therapist.

 

Music is also inherently emotionally fulfilling for many people with autism spectrum disorders, just as it is for those who do not have an ASD. The therapy has also been known to improve eye contact and joint attention in individuals with ASDs. This is partly due to the fact that, in order to stay in time with the musical therapist, a child must sometimes look directly at the therapist or others with whom they are playing to get musical cues. Eventually, these children will become more comfortable making eye contact in their regular lives, which will make it easier to get non-musical cues from others in a similar manner.

 

Autism Music therapy may also be helpful for some children who speak with a monotonous tone of voice. By singing along to songs, children begin to follow a more rhythmic pattern, and eventually this ability should carry over into regular speech rhythm.

 

 

Simple versions of autism music therapy techniques can be carried out in the home.  Parents can start by choosing a simple instrument such as Christmas bells, a tambourine, or a mini drum. The parent should dangle the instrument close to his or her face and try to bring the child ‘s focus to him or her. An exercise like this could improve eye contact as the child becomes more comfortable looking at the parent’s face and eyes while the parent plays the music for them. Once the child seems interested, offer the instrument to him or her. If the child plays the instrument incorrectly, the parent should be encouraging, but also show the child how to play the instrument correctly.

 

Another great game to play is “The Music Says!” This exercise needs a prop – some kind of action figure or doll. Sing a song for the child, and when an action word is mentioned in the song, the doll should follow this command. For example, if the song says “sit,” make the doll sit. Or “FLY!” then fly the figure around the room. The parent can also match objects mentioned in the song lyrics to photos or drawings to help the child connect a visual image with the words in the song.

 

If the child’s focus begins to shift away, it may be necessary for the parent to get his or her attention back by clapping their hands or moving in closer to the child. To prepare the child for this type of activity, caretakers should play a song that they know the child will enjoy. And to get the child’s verbal momentum going, parents should sing the songs and leave out specific words or phrases within the songs and see if their child can fill in the blanks by saying the missing word or words on their own.

 

Parents should brainstorm with a musical therapist in order to choose age appropriate and enjoyable songs for their child. The songs should be high-energy and playful in order to encourage the child to move and maintain a good mood.

  

Not all musical therapists have experience with autism. Parents should make sure that the therapist they choose has knowledge and an interest in helping children with ASDs. All therapists go through the same training and get the same kind of certificate, but the most valuable and useful knowledge that a therapist gains is through experience, their interaction with patients. Thus, not all therapists may be able to work with a child with autism.

 

Caretakers should sit down with a few therapists and learn about their background. Determine what kind of strategy and tools the therapist plans to implement. Parents should make sure that they are able to get along with the therapist, and most importantly, be sure that the therapist will be compatible with their child. Every parent knows their child better than anybody else does, so only they can determine whether or not the therapist and his or her plan of action is suitable for their child.

 

As with all therapies, parents should check their health insurance to see if this kind of therapy is covered. Some, but not all insurance companies provide coverage for any musical therapy, and other companies may ask the parent to chose a therapist from a list of specific musical therapists that the company is able cover. 

 

Sources:

 

[Evans, Rachel. The Benefits of Music Therapy for Autism.http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Music-Therapy-for-Autism&id=432566]