Due to the diverse applications
of music in society and its unique influence on behavior, investigation
into how music can be used in treatment has been of interest to a wide variety
of professionals, including music therapists, music educators, neurologists, educators,
psychologists, and medical doctors.
A growing body of theoretical and clinical research
supports functional outcomes of a music-based approach in areas
of cognition, communication,
psychosocial development, and motor functioning.
The following are important considerations
when assessing how music therapy could benefit a child with
special needs:
- What breakdown areas hinder the
child from performing the desired skill?
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- What evidence supports the use of
music to enhance performance in those breakdown areas?
Specific research topics below validate
the use of music to assist learning and development:
- music as a mnemonic device
- music as an aesthetic to elicit
attention, motivation, and positive mood
- rhythm as a timekeeper for movement
- singing / chanting as a compensatory
strategy for functional speech
Music Therapy Comprehensive Research Bibliography
Research on Autism, Williams Syndrome,
& Rett Syndrome |
