Relational factors in music therapy can contribute to a positive therapeutic outcome for children with autism. It might not surprise you that good relationships create good outcomes, as meaningful relational experiences are crucial to all of us in our everyday lives. However, the development of a relationship with a child with autism may progress a little differently due to where the child is on the autism spectrum. Some with autism thrive on relationships with others, and some may find it incredibly difficult to communicate and connect in a more typical and expected way.
Music Therapy for Autism
In a new study, researchers from The Greig Academy Music Therapy Research Centre (GAMUT) at the University of Bergen observed that the quality of the therapeutic relationship between child and therapist can predict generalized changes in social skills in children diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition (ASC).
Outcomes related to the child’s social skills were measured before and after treatment. Based on session videos the researchers assessed the relationship between the child and the therapist.
Findings of this study show a significant symptom reduction if a relationship was developed in which the therapist was emotionally and musically attuned to the child’s expressions. The study observed that the stronger the therapeutic relationship, the greater the improvement of communication and language skills displayed by the child.
Emotional Attunement
The attunement process between humans is usually associated with early interactions between infants and their caregivers. It has been suggested that the caregiver’s capability to attune and synchronize to the infant’s movements, rhythms, and affects influences attachment and the development of social understanding. Within these attuned musical exchanges between infant and therapist, the infant experiences being felt and understood emotionally.
In music therapy with children with autism, therapists try to apply principles from early interaction processes and attunement by making music that is specifically tailored to the child’s sounds, movements, and postures. This should allow for moments of synchronization and attunement, explains Karin Mössler, principal investigator of the study.
Does Music Therapy Work?
Focusing on musical and emotional attunement might be especially important for children with low-functioning childhood autism. It might be specifically powerful when working with sensory processing, affecting regulation, and deviations related to the child’s movements, all of which can be crucial in these children.
Some studies have investigated the effects of music therapy with children with autism and show that music therapy does not work better than other therapies. However, music therapy has caused greater improvement for children with childhood autism or coexisting intellectual disability than children with other autism diagnoses. This is the case with most kinds of therapy; what works and what doesn’t varies from person to person as the practice is catered to each individual.
A Connection Baseline
Music therapy can be a useful launching pad for parents who are struggling to connect with their child with autism or who are seeing their child struggle to connect with others. Intervention strategies centered around forming relationships through musical and emotional connection can be a game changer. Using music’s repetitive or stereotypical movements and affective expressions can be a resource and life-changing starting point for certain children with autism.
