How Does Music Therapy Make a Difference for Individuals with Diagnoses on the Autism Spectrum?• Music is a “universal language” which provides bridges in a non-threatening setting between people and their environment, facilitating relationships, learning, self-expression, and communication. • Music captures and maintains attention. • Music is highly motivating and engaging. • Music therapy can enable those without language to communicate, participate, and express themselves. • Music therapy can encourage social communication development. • Music therapy provides individuals 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. • Music provides concrete, multi-sensory stimulation (auditory, visual, and tactile). |
How Does Music Therapy Help Families of Individuals with Diagnoses on the Autism Spectrum?
• Music therapy interventions can provide opportunities for positive interaction and the building of relationships among family members and the client.
• Music therapy interventions can help family members see their loved one in a different light. • Music therapy can provide family members with alternate ways to interact, socialize, and communicate with their loved ones. |