How Can a Musical Therapist Benefit a Child With Autism?

According to the Autism Research Institute, several options prove helpful in treating autism. Among these, music therapy is a promising application for autistic children. Professional music therapists encourage language potential, interpersonal skills, speech and social skills.

Identification

• Music therapy combines music and developmental games, songs and interactions---all of which are geared toward enhancing an autistic child's social, emotional and learning skills.

Therapy Techniques

• Advancements in speech are often acquired by singing sentences or words in response. Eye contact and communication are encouraged through musical games, clapping and playing instruments as a group and individually.

Features

• A music therapist is highly qualified to work with special needs children. Therapists study music curriculum, as well as psychology and special education, and have a dedicated quantity of fieldwork. Board certification and internships are required, as well as continuing education courses.

Benefits

• Effective due to non-verbal communication, music therapy provides a stress-free learning environment for autistic children. Many otherwise speechless autistic children will sing or respond to music activities.

Potential

• By learning to mimic the stress and rhythm of music through singing, children can greatly reduce monotone speech patterns.

Considerations

• There is a significant link to autistic children's profound musical abilities, and music therapy often reaches these children through an avenue they find inherently fascinating.