Has anyone ever tried music therapy for their ASD child who seems gifted in, motivated by, naturally inclined towards, interested in...music, rhythm, dance, etc.? I think my son has perfect pitch. He sings quite a bit. He can reproduce different notes, sounds, songs, jingles, etc. Also, my great uncle was a gifted pianist who never took a lesson and in his later years tuned pianos by ear. My nephew is 11 and writing his own music after less than 2 years of lessons. Almost everyone on both sides sings in tune. Maybe music is a niche skill (or splinter skill) for my son...or maybe he just inherited some musical talent!Hi! My name is Carol Ann Blank, and I am a music therapist here in Central NJ. I am very glad to hear that so many of you feel that music is an important part of your children's lives. I would be happy to serve as a reference point for anyone who has any other questions or is looking for a referral for a music therapist in their area. The NJ Association for Music Therapy is an active organization, albeit without a web presence of yet. However, you can reach the NJAMT at NJassociationformusictherapy@gmail.com.
I hope I can be of some service!
Sincerely,
Carol Ann
My son with autism (about the middle of the spectrum) is 18 and has been doing music therapy for about the past 2 years. We live in Southern California so I unfortunately can't recommend anyone to you. We had tried it many years ago when we lived in New Jersey and Peter, my son, was just 4 but he didn't really respond. So we stopped and decided to try it again when I heard about the program here at the music department at California State University at Northridge (CSUN). They have a great program, with young, energetic therapists plus students since they teach music therapy at the school. If you have a university or college near you, maybe you can ask if they have a program?
Anyway, Peter has also always been musical. He was humming in perfect pitch years ago when he lost his speech at 1 1/2. Once he started speaking again around age 4, he would sing, but not with a group. The other kids and teachers would sing, then when they stopped, he would sing his perfect rendition. He was always drawn to sounds, but seemed sensitive to certain pitches. Sometimes a song would come on the radio and he would cover his ears and moan and we had to turn it off.
We wanted to try music therapy a couple of years ago because Peter seemed to be avoiding listening to music more and more. He didn't want to listen to any CD's like he used to. We wanted to encourage more language thru music since it seems to be a natural outlet for him. When Peter is sad or hurt, he will cry and sing thru his tears. We had bought him an electric keyboard and we knew he could pick out tunes by ear because he would do it when pushed, but he didn't enjoy it.
I'd like to be able to say that music therapy has been a miracle cure, but of course nothing is. As usual, it's one more thing that can help and it does seem to be helping. With Peter, progress tends to be slow. He does enjoy listening to music more and will tolerate more on the radio. He will sing along with the music therapist (which is a good accomplishment for him) and can read music a little. He plays the piano with her and also plays the drum interactively with her. The method she uses is like a cross between Floor Time, ABA, and more natural teaching. She has a set structure to the session, with a consistent beginning, middle and end, but changes around some elements in the middle. Peter has also learned to like and play the bass guitar a bit so now he has a bass guitar and also an electronic drum pad at home. I need to encourage him to play them, but when he does, he enjoys it. I see him enjoying interracting with his therapist and I see that for him music can really help with that.
I hope this information helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks Sue! I'm glad that your son has an outlet for his musical talent, and I hope he can build and expand upon this interest to improve other areas of his life.
I'd like to know where you lived in NJ? My mother lives in South Jersey, and I'm originally from Philly. There seems to be alot more help for children with autism in NJ than in VA, so maybe a move is in our future...
Thanks much!
We lived in Morris Plains, in Morris County. There are alot of really good private schools in New Jersey, but they're a little slow at starting programs in the public schools. We're planning to move to Union County in March, 2007 and will try to get Peter into a program that's run by the public school district, but is just for kids with autism.Thanks so much for the replies thus far!
It's a challenge to find information on this topic. I have been researching for over a year but have yet to find someone close by. I have contacted the AMTA (American Music Therapists Association), and there are several members in Virginia, but no one is closer tha 4+ hours! Hopefully someone on these boards will be able to help!
music bumpThat is great and sounds like something you should definitely encourage. (My son definitely doesn't have perfect pitch. I learned this when I made the mistake of letting him hear "Jingle Bells, Batman smells...DH and I are music teachers, so this is fascinating for us to watch. Andrew loves to dance as well as sing, and he also does a lot with play instruments we have around the house. Thankfully, we got him into an arts-infused magnet school, so he has lots of exposure to music, dance etc which is wonderful for him.
I love the idea of music therapy, and have often wondered recently if maybe I should have gone into it myself. It certainly would be (now) a wonderful marriage of two things I'm most immersed in...........helping someone with special needs through music, what could be better? Before Andrew, we never knew obviously that our lives would take the turn down this particular road (ASD). But if I had known, I probably would have done a music therapy degree instead of music ed.
Hoping someone out there has actually used music therapy, though, and can tell us more about the good it did. Cool topic!
Anyone know a good music therapist ANYWHERE IN THE USA?
Bumping!!!
Hello, I am a Music therapist in Virginia and I would be willing to try and help you out. If you would like to contact me you may email me at michelle_will73@hotmail.com Thanks!
Michelle O'Connor MT-BC
Don't know where you are, but there is a group in Westchester, IL that a lot of my friends with kids w/ASD love. They have a waiting list right now, though, and it is a little bit of a trek, so recently we made a deal with a lcoal music teacher that doesn't officially do therapy, but she does some singing and piano with our 6 year old and he loves it. Just some ideas.....trying the local university for some music students is also a good idea. Bridget
What is it about music that gets their attention? My twins seem to be able to speak more words when they sing it, it calms them down some, and it gets their attention?
Sincerely,
Audra
Melody recognition is right-hemisphere stuff, if I am not mistaken. However, I would ask, what is it about music and the entire human race? LOL! It IS important!
dd has muscle tone and balance issues, but between her pitch and memory, you can teach her to sing ANYTHING! Pretty cool talent. I suspect she leanrs faster than some classmates, too ...
She enjoys listening to music, sometimes, but if she has had a particularly "auditorily trying" day, she does not. So be sure and pay attention to that ...
My 20 mos old is VERYYY interested in music - infact when we sing is the only time she wants to make eye contact - she can mime abt 8-9 songs - from 5 little monkeys to if ur happy - and she mimes pretty well -now ords just actions.
Its like she transforms into a new person everytime we sing.. the problem is tho that if we play a CD- she will go into a trance - just listening and swaying side by side... i hate that bec thats hwhen I have lost her...
Should I encorage music or is this an unhealthy addiction? How can I promote learning and eye contact more?
thanks,
Rita
I would definitely use singing to promote eye contact! That is wonderful you are getting such a communicative response from her!
From what I have read ... limited experience here ...
Keep it as face-to-face and personally interactive as possible ... and limit CD time (but still use it top introduce some other music?).
Keep it up!
Bump!!![QUOTE=audralynn]What is it about music that gets their attention? My twins seem to be able to speak more words when they sing it, it calms them down some, and it gets their attention?
Sincerely,
Audra
[/QUOTE]Singing and talking are in two different parts of the brain. Studies show that people who stutter can sing an entire song without difficulty, and people who have Alzheimer's that are unable to speak an entire sentence are able to sing a song, word for word.
What is it about music that gets their attention? My twins seem to be able to speak more words when they sing it, it calms them down some, and it gets their attention?
Sincerely,
Audra
[/QUOTE]Dear Andrews Mommy, I am very interested in your story about the power music has with your son and would love to learn more. Throughout my entire life, I have been surrounded by the spectrum. A brother, an undiagnosed father, and most recently my five year old nephew all have Asperger's. These life experiences have awakened something inside of me, a passion to use my talents as a music therapist to positively impact the lives of families who have autistic children.
For over seven years, I have concentrated extensively on broadening my music therapy approach to include sensory integration, guided imagery and relaxation techniques. I use these musical interventions to help children learn affective ways to cope with their anxiety and avoid meltdowns, socialize with peers and familiy members, and express their feelings in new and creative ways.
f you are seeking online resources that may help answer some of your questions in regards to music therapy for children with autism, feel free to view my website at http://harmonymts.com/mtautism.aspx
I wish to offer you support to the best of my ability. Feel free to contact me.
I've been trying to find a music therapist for a while now. I am willing to settle for somebody who is just familiar with autism and capable of teaching beginning level music lessons of some sort, but I haven't found anything yet.
If anybody knows of a music therapist in Wichita, KS, let me know.
I do think that Texas has some universities that have Music Therapy majors, I think in San Antonio, so if you are in those areas, there is a better chance of finding something. (my MIL teaches music in SA Texas and was surprised we were having such a hard time finding somebody)
Dear Patricia,
Thanks for the link to your site! What wonderful things you are doing for the community!
I contacted you through your site with more specific questions. I used to live in Philly, and as I don't think that there are really any coincidences in life, I have the feeling that I probably know some of the same people that you do...
Thank you for posting here and reviving a topic that was near and dear to my heart for many months but has since fallen to the back burner...Perhaps the timing wasn't right until now!
Well, best wishes, and I look forward to hearing from you!
My son was diagnosed with ASD when he was 3. We were fortunate to find the music of Cathy Bollinger (Rivanna Music). She has done TWO CD's for kids on the spectrum (http://www.rivannamusic.com) She even has some Boardmaker pages for some of the songs in My Turn Your Turn (social skills). The newest one Ready to Learn is amazing. We saw Josh's behaviors come around in a couple of weeks after singing those songs.
Also, she has a couple of other CD's that are just plain fun, Alphabet Jam and Tunes that Teach.
Check out her site....you will be glad you did.
~ET
Music StoriesThat Puccini Opera story is GREAT.
One of the songs from My Turn Your Turn (by Cathy Bollinger) http://www.rivannamusic.com
was People Like it When I Say Hi. When Josh would see someone coming, he would know that I was going to remind him to say Hi, but after the album, My Turn Your Turn, he would then start to hum the song to himself, almost like a warmup, so that when the person was there, he was ready to say Hi.
These kids' minds are amazing. I constantly learn so much from Josh.
Thanks for your note.
ET
We did Tomais. Daniel is totaly a right brain learner. He loves singing even in the shower. I want her stuff. My problem is family who will not buy on line. To me this a great gift idea for our kids also.Hi! I am a music therapist in Central NJ. I've been reading the posts regarding finding a music therapist in your area (TX, KS, etc). Please contact the American Music Therapy Association at info@musictherapy.org to request a list of music therapists or universities that have a music therapy degree program in your area. You can also check out the website for the AMTA at www.musictherapy.org and then find out more about your region's music therapy presence.
Of course, you can always contact me, and I will try to help you as best I can to get a referral.
Carol Ann Blank, MMT, MT-BC, LCAT, LPC, FAMI
Liam had music therapy from EI. He also has a "Way" with music and possible perfect pitch. He is really great at the piano and any other instrument he tries not to mention he sings everything.