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What is music therapy? Music Therapy is a young, applied discipline involving a wide range of subjects, applications, and ideologies. There is not a consistent set of standards, because: · Music therapy is a recent discipline · Music therapists are from different countries and different ethnicities, and are influenced by different cultural and historical factors,among others · Each music therapist provides treatment to different groups Simply put, music therapy is the use of various forms of music activities, including listening, singing, playing, and rhythm to stimulate and relax the body for the purpose of improving health. The history of music therapy · In the USA, the first academic program to train music therapists was instituted at Michigan State University in 1944. · In 1950, a group of psychiatrists, professional musicians and educators formed the National Association for Music Therapy. · By 1953, specific education and clinical training requirements led to a baccalaureate degree and registration as a music therapist. · In 1973, the American Association for Music Therapy was formed. · The American Music Therapy Association was founded in 1998, a union of the American Association for Music Therapy and the National Association for Music Therapy. Its purpose is to support the therapeutic use of music in hospital,educational and community settings. · Currently AMTA establishes criteria for academic programs in colleges and universities, clinical training sites, and professional registration of music therapists. · In the UK, music therapy has been used effectively to support children with special needs. Examples of how music has particularly helped autistic children improve their attention and focus are given in various research studies. Also,it has been proven that music therapy can improve communication skills for children with autism. (http://www.bamt.org/music-therapy/who-can-benefit/autistic-spectrum-conditions/autism-case-study.html) Benefits: Physiological
Benefits: Behavioral · Music therapy has been found to be soothing and to help shape proper behavior. · Music therapy can improve concentration and learning, and assist in developing social and language skills to replace self-stimulatory behaviors. · Some music therapy methods assist in improving concentration of children with autism. Music with pictures may be used to attract the attention. For example, the Visual Music Intervention Instrument provides music with cartoon graphics. A spectrum effect is also helpful for attracting attention. · A music album can be made with selected music and selected pictures or photos, using album editing software. This provides a personalized and pleasurable approach to teaching. · Rhythm may be used to improve concentration and ability to respond. Percussion instruments may be used to beat time along with selected music. The student may clap along with the teacher, with or without music. A small drum may also be used. · Practicing the piano is very effective in music therapy. The music therapist may begin by holding the right hand of student to guide in playing the melody, while the teacher uses his/her left hand to play chord accompaniment. Another approach is to supply personalized words to a short and familiar tune played by the music therapist. There are many benefits for children with autism who are learning to play the piano, and when concentration improves, learning improves,and behavior improves, as well. Music therapy and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Music therapy provides a unique experience for children and youth with autism, and is particularly valuable and motivational when provided by a certified and skilled music therapist. The versatility of music allows for individualization of therapy in terms of the presenting behaviors, interests and abilities, and the materials at hand. Music therapy is not the same as music instruction. According to Lisa Jo Rudy (Music Therapy for Autism at www.about.com, updated 1-31-10), music therapy can build skills, lower anxiety and develop new communication skills. Music therapy can improve communication, social skills, sensory issues,behavior, cognition,perceptual-motor skills and self-reliance or self-determination. She reports that the music therapist may rely on spontaneous music improvisation, or use simple songs, pieces, or musical styles to suit the mood and the clinical and developmental needs of the child or youth, and the music therapist can develop strategies that can be used at home or at school. Most children with autism have an interest in music. Music therapy is an effective vehicle of rehabilitation and education for them. It is increasingly valued by rehabilitation workers. Two types of equipment that GIVES has sponsored for use with music therapy in China: · Somatosensory Vibration Music Therapy Bed · Visual Music Intervention Instrument These combine musical and visual elements to help reduce emotional and behavioral problems and to improve attention. There are many reports by researchers that have used music therapy with individuals with autism [Simpson, et al. (2005) Autism Spectrum Disorders: Interventions and Treatments for Children and Youth. Corwin Press, Thousand Oaks, California]. The researchers have reported significant changes in: · Interaction skills · Expressive Skills · Nonverbal communication · Behavior, and · Community-based skills Music Therapy is classified as a practice for which there is limited supporting information. This is not an indication that the method is necessarily without merit; rather,an indication that the evidence is lacking to make an objective, scientific judgment. |
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Music therapy is a systematic intervention process in which therapists use various forms of the music experience to establish good circumstances for the help-receivers then target an adjustment of their life state so as to help them recuperate. 音乐治疗是一个系统的干预过程，治疗师利用音乐体验的各种形式，为被帮助者针对性调节生命状态，达到回复健康之目的。
The rich connotation and diversity of music inspired GIVES to mobilize this medium as a therapeutic treatment for helping children with autism. By the treatment utilizes various forms of music activities--including listening, singing, playing, and rhythm-- to stimulate and relax the child’s body so as to improve the his or her psychological health. In the guidance of a certified and skilled music therapist, the treatment provides a unique experience for autistic children. At the same time, their habits, personality and behavior can be better understood and their special expertise and interest explored. Music therapy is being considered a more-receptive and comprehensive treatment. 因为音乐疗法丰富的内涵和多样性，GIVES选择以音乐疗法作为协助自闭症儿童康复的其中一种治疗方法。通过运用各种形式的音乐活动，包括听、唱、演奏和节奏来刺激和放松身体，自闭症儿童得以卸下封闭的心房，达到改善心理健康的目的。通过专业的音乐治疗师，为年幼的自闭症儿童提供独特的经验，透过治疗的过程我们能够了解儿童的个性和行为习惯，改善其病情同时也可从中发掘自闭症儿童的专专长和兴趣，是一项比较全面而且接受度较高的治疗方式。
Our philosophy GIVES believes in thetherapeutic impact of music and its appreciation.GIVES is committed to joining musical talents and resources to reach out to many people in need who can benefit from this therapy. |
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Future plans for research and development Objective evidence of the results of music therapy would be of value to music therapists as well as to those making decisions regarding interventions and treatment for individuals with autism. It is suggested that evaluative studies be conducted, to include: defining and operationalizing target behaviors related to music intervention with subsequent measurement of the behavioral effects. While it is difficult to identify a control group, a control partner might be identified who would be engaged in another therapy for the same time period, or the individual might serve as his/her own control. In the future,such studies might be possible. |
