| herapy is a great way for children with | | | | process than verbal exchanges. |
| developmental disabilities to communicate. The | | | | Wind instruments in particular help children with |
| healing power of music therapy activities facilitates | | | | autism communicate. These instruments make |
| positive behavior changes. Each music therapy | | | | the child aware of the way his or her jaw, teeth, |
| session is carefully planned, carried out and | | | | lips and tongue function. Playing an instrument |
| evaluated on a patient by patient basis. The | | | | mirrors many of the functions required for |
| sessions can include listening to music, creating | | | | speech vocalizations. |
| music, playing an instrument or just moving to the | | | | Music therapy sessions also allow children with |
| beat. | | | | autism to feel a special kind of emotional |
| Music as therapy has a significant and positive | | | | fulfillment. Many of these children lack the ability to |
| influence on children with autism. It gives them a | | | | respond to stimuli that would otherwise allow |
| chance to experience non-threatening outside | | | | them to enjoy emotional changes; however, they |
| stimulation. Music therapy for children with autism | | | | respond very well to musical stimuli. Many music |
| is tailored to the individual — what works | | | | therapists believe this is the case because music |
| with one child may not work with another and | | | | provides the child with an emotional environment |
| therapists understand this well. | | | | that is free from fear. Children with autism are |
| Music therapy sessions improve socio-emotional | | | | given a safe place to express themselves and |
| development. When children with autism begin to | | | | learn more about who they actually are. Children |
| develop relationships, they can ignore or even | | | | are encouraged to make noise, bang on |
| reject social contact with others. The therapy | | | | instruments, shout and jump — anything |
| allows them to end social withdrawal because the | | | | that lets them freely express themselves and |
| instrument is presented as a fascinating object | | | | experience satisfaction. |
| instead of a threatening one. It offers an initial | | | | Equally important, music therapy for children with |
| point of contact between the child and the | | | | autism teaches social skills. It improves language |
| therapist which does not exist with other | | | | comprehension, encourages the desire to |
| individuals in the child’s life. | | | | communicate and makes creative self-expression |
| Parents understand the unique difficulties of | | | | possible while it reduces non-communicative |
| educating children with autism. Music therapy | | | | speech. Music therapy has even been shown to |
| opens special doors of communication between | | | | decrease echolalia, or uncontrolled instant |
| the child and his or her world. The session will | | | | repetition of words spoken by another person. |
| stimulate the mental process of comprehending, | | | | Autism is generally discovered in children three |
| conceptualizing and symbolizing. The therapist can | | | | years of age or younger, which makes music |
| use an instrument to establish a communicative | | | | therapy the perfect treatment. Children with |
| relationship between the patient’s behavior | | | | autism generally have a high aptitude for music |
| and a specific sound. Sounds make it much easier | | | | and are very talented. If you have a loved one |
| for children with autism to recognize correct and | | | | with autism, consider the benefits of music |
| incorrect behaviors, as sounds are simpler to | | | | therapy. |