Thank You for the Music: Musical Activities as Therapy for Autistic Children

Authors

  • Natasza Gawlick Boston College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6017/eurj.v12i2.9353

Keywords:

music therapy, music, autism, children, therapy

Abstract

Music therapy, developed over the years by numerous musicians and educators, such as Carl Orff, Jacques-Dalcroze, and Kodaly, have proven to stimulate social interaction, improve selective attention and aid in numerous other developmental milestones. These findings are not only important for parents and school curricula, but also have profound meaning for children with autism. Numerous studies, including work done by Koelsch, as well as Winsler, Ducenne, and Koury, found that children who participated in a music and movement program developed greater self-regulation skills, such as private speech, showed greater improvement in coordination, and fostered positive social interaction between researcher and subject. Autistic children who were exposed to music therapy held eye contact longer, engaged in dialogue, and reduced negative behaviors such as head-banging, avoidance, or self-stimulatory behaviors. Diverse methods of music therapy, including playing instruments, listening to sounds, and other musical activities, could greatly improve the social, emotional, and educational development of autistic children.

Author Biography

Natasza Gawlick, Boston College

Natasza graduated from Boston College in May 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology. In her time at Boston College, Natasza served as President of the English Association for two years, played in numerous chamber music ensembles, was accepted into the Creative Writing Concentration, and worked as an intern for Teen Ink Magazine. For her senior project, while under the mentorship of Professor Susan Roberts, she wrote a creative thesis and a collection of fictional short stories. Natasza was awarded the Cardinal Cushing Award for best fiction printed in a Boston College publication. She hopes to attend graduate school for English Literature and Creative Writing in the fall of 2017.

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Published

2016-11-13

How to Cite

Gawlick, N. (2016). Thank You for the Music: Musical Activities as Therapy for Autistic Children. Elements, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.6017/eurj.v12i2.9353

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Section

Articles