MUSIC THERAPY
What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. (American Music Therapy Association definition, 2005)
Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses; design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music; participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow up.
Music therapy may include the use of behavioral, biomedical, developmental, educational, humanistic, adaptive music instruction, and/or other models. Music therapy enhances one’s quality of life, involving relationships between a qualified music therapist and individual; between one individual and another; between the individual and his/her family; and between the music and the participants. These relationships are structured and adapted through the elements of music to create a positive environment and set the occasion for successful growth.
How does Music Therapy help individuals diagnosed with ASD?
- People with diagnoses on the autism spectrum often show a heightened interest and response to music, making it an excellent therapeutic tool.
- Music is a very basic human response, spanning all degrees of ability/disability. Music therapists are able to meet clients at their own levels and allow them to grow from there. The malleability of music makes it a medium that can be adapted to meet the needs of each individual.
- Music is motivating and enjoyable.
- Music can promote relatedness, relaxation, learning, and self-expression.
- Music therapy addresses multiple developmental issues simultaneously.
- Music therapy can provide success-oriented opportunities for achievement and mastery.
- The structure and sensory input inherent in music help to establish response and role expectations, positive interactions, and organization.
- Music is considered a "universal language" which provides bridges in a non-threatening setting between people and/or between individuals and their environment, facilitating relationships, 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. Very often music therapy also assists in the development of verbal communication, speech, and language skills. The interpersonal timing and reciprocity in shared play, turn-taking, listening and responding to another person are augmented in music therapy with children and adults with autism to accommodate and address their styles of communication.
- 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 elements and structures provide a sense of security and familiarity in the music therapy setting, encouraging clients to attempt new tasks within this predictable but malleable framework.
Music therapy treatment goals include:
- Increased expressive and receptive language
- Increased attention span and increased short/long term memory
- Improved cognitive mastery and organizational skills
- Improved fine and gross motor skills
- Heightened and focused sensory integration
- Improved impulse control and reduced hyperactivity
- Increased frustration tolerance and improved relaxation
- Increased range of expression and modulation
- Improved communication and social skills
- Increased self esteem
- Enhanced sense of community and alleviation of isolation
Courtesy of: Lisa Sandagata, MA, MT-BCAgency: Music Therapy Institute, Music Conservatory of WestchesterWebsite: www.musicconservatory.orgEmail: lisas@musiced.orgPhone: 914-761-3900 x138
|
|