In my first post on Music Therapy and Autism, I talked about this therapy in general. Today I want to share about our own experience.
The Little Guy has been going once a week since last August for a 45 minute session with a short consultation at the end of each session. Each child’s treatment plan will be different, depending on their needs, but here are his main goals (each one has more specific objectives as well):
- M. will improve his adjustment to change and transition.
- M. will improve feeling management and emotional empathy.
- M. will improve his fine motor skills.
- M. will improve direction following.
Even though he enjoys many aspects of music and the various activities they do, this is therapy and has definitely highlighted some of his areas of difficulty. We have experienced refusals leaving the house for music and transitioning from the waiting room to the treatment room. There has also been a significant amount of struggle and argument during the sessions when he wanted to be in charge of not only what he was doing, but what the therapist was doing as well. Thankfully, we have been able to identify some good strategies for each of these challenges:
Refusals and Transition Difficulties
One of the things we have done to minimize the difficult transition is to leave the house early and go to the playground (this also provided some good physical activity). For a time, we also came a few minutes late and went directly to the treatment room; once he was handling himself better, he was given the opportunity to play in the waiting room for a few minutes before each session. He has only had one difficult transition to the treatment room in the last 8 weeks.
Arguing and Power Struggle
To decrease the arguing, the therapist decreased her verbal directions and relied more on the visual schedule and written directions for activities. We also began having the TSS (behavioral support person) come with him to the sessions. This has been helpful because she has very good strategies that work with him and because having a third person has changed the dynamic, making it less of a power struggle. He has shown a positive attitude and good direction following 4 of the last 6 weeks.
At this point, we have four more sessions before we take a break due to his summer schedule. I am definitely ready for a break – even though we have made progress, I must admit to being a little more anxious on music day and having to take a deep breath before I remind him of the schedule on that morning.
After re-reading this, I realize it doesn’t say much about what actually happens IN music therapy. I am not in the actual sessions, so I do not know all the specific activities they do, but I know they are individualized to the child. For the fall, in fact, the therapist has recommended a group session with one other therapist and child, if a good match can be arranged and schedules matched up. I imagine some of his goals will shift to be more focused on relating with a peer, which would also be a good thing to work on.
One interesting thing I have learned is that children with disabilities (or even younger typical children) often respond more easily to directions and questions that are sung. You can try this out by singing your child’s name to get his or her attention rather than just saying/calling it, and seeing if they respond more quickly.
I'm a mom with Asperger's raising an amazing son with autism, which means I'm basically the case manager/advocate/cheerleader/chauffeur. The rest of the time, you can usually find me with my nose in a book!
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I love your last point about children responding to sung requests, as opposed to verbal requests. I notice that when I sing to my son in a silly or dramatic way, he is definitely more receptive.
I love your last point about children responding to sung requests, as opposed to verbal requests. I notice that when I sing to my son in a silly or dramatic way, he is definitely more receptive.
I too have found singing makes a difference.
Transitions are hard arnt they!
I too have found singing makes a difference.Transitions are hard arnt they!
Thanks for this post. I have been curious about music therapy for awhile. We do listening therapy but not music therapy. i will have to try the singing approach.
Thanks for this post. I have been curious about music therapy for awhile. We do listening therapy but not music therapy. i will have to try the singing approach.
I’m going to echo the previous comments – thanks for the idea of singing a request! Now if I can just find a catchy tune for “No hitting, no kicking, no pushing…”
I’m going to echo the previous comments – thanks for the idea of singing a request! Now if I can just find a catchy tune for “No hitting, no kicking, no pushing…”
Glad to hear the singing works for so many kiddos! I have to remind myself to stop and think about how my voice is sounding when I am getting frustrated with a non-responsive or argumentative child.
Glad to hear the singing works for so many kiddos! I have to remind myself to stop and think about how my voice is sounding when I am getting frustrated with a non-responsive or argumentative child.
I use music all the time with my students. I *think* it really helps them.
I use music all the time with my students. I *think* it really helps them.
Lately, when Fuzzy-Wuzzy is inconsolable in the car, I turn on the classical music station. He usually calms down in less than a minute.
I will be trying the singing the name thing with Squiggly-Wiggly, as he doesn’t seem to hear his name being called much of the time!
Lately, when Fuzzy-Wuzzy is inconsolable in the car, I turn on the classical music station. He usually calms down in less than a minute.I will be trying the singing the name thing with Squiggly-Wiggly, as he doesn’t seem to hear his name being called much of the time!
I have been enjoying the posts even though I haven’t been able to comment lately. I am really interested in music for the room so I need to do a little more research myself. Good post.
I have been enjoying the posts even though I haven’t been able to comment lately. I am really interested in music for the room so I need to do a little more research myself. Good post.