What goals can my child meet through Music Therapy?

Music therapy can be effective in addressing many typical characteristics of autism. 

I worked with a 2 year old boy of with autism who spent our first four sessions running in circles.  Then I found the right musical stimulation, and he became engaging and interactive with me in a way he was not with any of this other therapists.  His family saw a little boy playing and having fun without the self stimulation or aggression they saw on a normal day.  He would sit and attend for 45 minutes and then show frustration when the time was up. 

Social Goals:

• Increase attention span - Music is highly engaging and motivating and may be used as a natural reinforcer for desired responses.

• Reduce negative or self-stimulatory responses - Music Therapy focuses on increasing participation in more appropriate and socially acceptable ways.

• Interpersonal timing and reciprocity - Music Therapy accommodates and addresses the client's style of communication through shared play, turn-taking, listening and responding to another person.

• Build confidence to attempt new tasks - Many people with autism have innate musical talents.  Music therapy provides an opportunity for clients to experience success in their areas of strength, while musical structure provides a predictable but malleable framework to build toward new objectives.

Verbal and Expressive Goals:

• Self expression - Music therapy can enable those without language to communicate, participate and express themselves non-verbally.

• Appropriate expression of emotion - Music therapy allows individuals with diagnoses on the autism spectrum the opportunity to develop identification and appropriate expression of their emotions.

• Speech and language skills - 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.

Physical Goals:

• Gross motor skills - Children can develop their gross motor skills through dance and large, child-friendly drums and other percussion instruments.

• Fine motor skills - Children can develop finer control and timing playing more complicated instruments, including tambourines, finger cymbals, and guitar.

Family Goals:

An individual’s growth through music therapy can improve the quality of life for the whole family.

• Behavioral skills - Music therapy can address goals of reducing "bad" behavior, promoting social norms, and providing an acceptable emotional outlet.  This can help reduce stress and strain on other family members.  

• Family involvement - The shared, equalizing experience of making music together can improve family cohesiveness, support, and coping skills.  Family members can also experience alternative ways to interact, socialize, and communicate with their loved ones. 

• See your child in a "different light" - Participation in music therapy often allows family members to witness their child’s strengths, providing hope for the future and belief in the individual’s abilities.