Music Therapy for Autism
Medical Music Therapy, Psychiatric Music Therapy, Geriatric Music Therapy, Music Therapy for Autism, Music Therapy for the Developmentally Disabled, Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth, Music Therapy in Palliative/Hospice Care
Music Therapy for persons with autism can begin a connection that would otherwise seem impossible. Music has a unique appeal and can build rapport very quickly. The music therapist will conduct an assessment first, noting the child's communication, emotional, and social needs. Then weekly sessions will focus on joining in with the child. Various techniques will be employed, such as drumming, instrument playing, and singing. The first few sessions will be conducted with a parent present. Then the music therapist will slowly introduce new experiences and invite the child to explore them on his or her own terms. After a relationship is established with the child, the sessions will continue with the parents observing only. From time to time, the parents and other significant persons in the child's life may be invited to join.

Consultation with a parents or caregiver will follow each session. Progress notes will be kept and occasional videotaping will be conducted for clinical evaluation by the therapist. Ask your  IEP committee to order a music therapy assessment through the school so that  music therapy may be added to your child's IEP if recommended. Or, you may be able to use insurance to cover the cost with a physician's referral and prior authorization. 

Please contact Rana Zellner Burr, MT-BC if you have any further questions.
 


Read an article written by Myra J. Staum, Ph.D., RMT-BC
Director and Professor of Music Therapy
Willamette University, Salem, Oregon
Read
MUSIC THERAPY AND LANGUAGE
FOR THE AUTISTIC CHILD
by Myra J. Staum, Ph.D., RMT-BC
MAIN | Foundations of Music Therapy | Music Therapy Applied | Becoming a Music Therapist | About Rana Zellner Burr, MT-BC
To contact us:
Email: info@musicthercc