Resources & references

Watch a video about the NGO Música para el autismo, which provides music opportunities, including music therapy, to autistic individuals. A session with one girl is included, as well as discussion of specific approaches, like the Benenzon method and neuromotor techniques.

This article introduces an adaptation of the music therapy and autism specific AQR-instrument. The author developed this adaptation following the requirement to report on the outcomes of his work at a school for children with autism. After introducing the AQR-instrument, the author describes how his adaptation enables him to produce bar charts illustrating client progress. 

This article provides a critical appraisal of research developments in reassessing the current clinical scope of practice in music therapy for autism spectrum disorders to include interventions targeting motor and attention functions.

Read an article examining the body synchrony of autistic children with their therapists during music therapy sessions. Results of this video microanalysis showed that while there was no significant change in the autistic children's ability to synchronize with therapists at the end of their treatment period, there was a significant increase in the ability of therapists to synchronize with the autistic children. The potential implications of this finding for both future research and practice are discussed.

This pilot research investigated eight most commonly used Bruscia’s (1987) clinical improvisation techniques utilised in music therapy with autistic clients: imitating, reflecting, synchronising, extending, symbolising, holding, incorporating, and rhythmic grounding. Improvisations were recorded using LogicPro connected to MalletKAT instruments. Improvisations were analysed using music-adapted technology, the MIDI Toolbox.

Read a case study presenting the use of the non-verbal voice in music therapy for a young girl with severe intellectual disabilities, complex needs, and autism to build connections within herself and with the music therapist.

Children with autism have historically received individual music therapy sessions; however they can also benefit from small group work where they can have a shared musical experience.