Music as a Therapeutic Intervention with Autism: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Authors

  • Dawn De Vries Grand Valley State University
  • Teresa Beck
  • Bethany Stacey
  • Katelyn Winslow
  • Kristyn Meines

Keywords:

autism, therapeutic use of music, children, therapeutic recreation

Abstract

This systematic review of literature is focused on the outcomes of the therapeutic use of music with children living with autism and was written to enhance the practice of using music as a therapeutic intervention by studying program needs and design. Outcomes from the use of music as a therapeutic intervention with children along the autism spectrum disorder included improvement in interpersonal skills, social skills, and cognitive skills. Reported benefits included, but were not limited to increased appropriate social behavior; increased attention to task; increased vocalization, verbalization, gesture, and vocabulary comprehension; increased communication and social skills; enhanced body awareness and coordination; improved self-care skills; and reduced anxiety.

Published

2015-07-31

Issue

Section

Conceptual Papers