Effect of Humpback Whale Sounds, Didgeridoo, and Music on Select Behaviors of a Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Authors

  • John O'Connor
  • Shannon T. Dieringer

Keywords:

autism, music, therapy, behaviors

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the behavioral responses of an 11-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder when different tracks of music (e.g., humpback whale songs, didgeridoo, Pink Floyd, tuba and piano, and “Old Man River”) were played. Several songs were selected because of the presence of low tones in the songs. Low tones were selected because previous observational data indicated the participant preferred low tones and responded with vocal interaction when his own low tones were echoed back to him. The research design for this study was alternating treatments with a control design. Based on the data collected, it is fair to say that in this instance the participant favored the whale sounds and the didgeridoo music over other tracks of music.

Issue

Section

Research