What is ASD and Music Therapy?
What is ASD?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism and aspergers, associated with communication and behavioral differences that may affect social and emotional interactions (Allgood 2005).
Mission
What is Music Therapy?
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Music therapy is an aspect of holistic healthcare that uses artistic outlets, such as, dance, music, art, painting and musical theater to improve physical and mental well-being. Although these practices may be implemented in a clinical setting, any person may use them in their everyday lives without even knowing it. Simply playing music in your headphones or participating/watching any type of artistic display in an attempt to de-stress is considered an accessible form of music therapy.
Vision
How do ASD and Music Therapy Connect?
Recent studies have shown that music therapy can be used to remediate communication differences and promote mental well-being for those with ASD. While this research extends beyond those with ASD, there have been positive correlations and improvement in mental health for these individuals specifically in both clinical and recreational settings.
What Does the Data Say?
One study explains that after a specific art therapy program, known as “Images of Self,” it was found that 58% of participants had improved levels of emotional regulation, flexibility and social behavior (Schweizer, et. al., 2020). Others explain that the vitality and joy gained from music therapy enables children with ASD to be more expressive and communicative (Thompson & Elefant, 2019). For further studies and information, please see my literature review in the section titled “My Origin Piece.”