Music Therapy Helping Autistic Children

People are beginning to use music therapy in dealing with autistic children. It has proved to be a form of communication that includes getting things done.

In The Miami Herald's "Health" section Jean Hwang of The Washington Post has written an article titled "Music gets backing for addressing autism." In the article she reports that Judy Simpson is working with her daughter Jana. In order to get her to cooperate and enjoy her bath she sings to her. Jana is 15-years-old.

Judy is a music therapist. Jana is enrolled in music class with 37 other autistic children. She has never been able to develop normal speech patterns.

As the report goes on to tell us, a typical class would include a teacher sitting in a semi-circle and singling and play and instrument. The children may participate in some way such as shaking maracas and some rock back and forth.

Some children are agitated by sounds. Whether it is the sounds of ambulances or the music at school they react.

As with many medical conditions there are many different levels of affectation. There are kids that can for example, play music and even compose music.

With children who are more challenged it is a matter of trying to get them to do the basics. It is simply another way to communicate.

I am not surprised at the success of music when used this way.

When our sons were babies I would walk with them and I always sang a song I made up. It's called "A Little Old Man in a Boat" -- if you care. This song either put those boys to sleep or, it calmed them down or helped them focus.

It has done the same for our new granddaughter.

It is sad that people who sometimes mean well can cause hurt because of their ignorance of a condition.

I know a boy very well who has Autism. He is a great child and has a lot of friends.

His teacher thinking she was doing him a favor had him get up in front of the class and tell them how and why he was "different."

Of course he was upset and told his parents and there was a big problem but the point here is that people aren't educated about illness.

I have taken several music courses. Music's history, definitions and methods for use is a fascinating study.

Reference:

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/health/story/963460.html