1. IN A WORD Modified Music Therapy As an Effective Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder

2. WHAT IS ASD?

3. BUT SERIOUSLY…WHAT IS IT?  Autism Spectrum Disorder – a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communicative and behavioral challenges. Three Primary Types – Autistic Disorder Asperger Syndrome Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified

4. CHARACTERISTICS  Inability to maintain eye contact, an aversion to physical contact with others, difficulty understanding and responding to social queues, difficulty verbally communicating effectively, hindrances to motor skills, extreme sensitivities to sounds or textures, and a slew of seemingly unrelated physical impairments  These behaviors typically associated with developmental disabilities such as autism are commonly self-injurious and destructive. Lundqvist, Lars-Olov. "Effects Of Vibroacoustic Music On Challenging Behaviors In Individuals With Autism And Developmental Disabilities." Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 3.2 (2009): 390- 400. ScienceDirect. Web. 7 Mar. 2012.

5. TREATMENT OPTIONS  No cure.  Early intervention  But there is a new hope…

7. MUSIC THERAPY (SPECIFICALLY…MODIFIED MUSIC INTERVENTION THERAPY)  Music is played to accompany the current activity and to reflect the mood and timing of the subject (Wimpory 543)  For the layman…. Drumming Singing But most importantly… Customized Accompaniment

8. THIS ACTUALLY WORKS?  Short answer: Yes.  Long answer: Yeeeeeeeees.  Let’s take a look at some pretty conclusive evidence…

9. LARS-OLOV LUNDQVIST “EFFECTS OF VIBROACOUSTIC MUSIC ON CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.”  Studied the effects of music therapy on aggressive and destructive individuals with autism.  The music therapy reduced the unwanted behavior in every individual involved in the study (which consisted of 20 people.)  However, the extent was dependent on the original diagnosis of the individual.

10. TRACY JO ORR “THE IMPACT OF RHYTHMIC ENTERTAINMENT ON A PERSON WITH AUTISM”  Subject: 11-year-old girl with autism who engaged in head jerking and screaming  Results: Music therapy was effective in reducing the destructive behavior.  To be fair…  The effectiveness waned (but was still measurably present) when the girl was under more duress.

11. DAWN WIMPORY “BRIEF REPORT: MUSICAL INTERACTION THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM: AN EVALUATIVE CASE STUDY WITH TWO-YEAR FOLLOW-UP”  Subject: 3-year-old girl, almost totally noncommunicative, severe autism, from a family with many siblings and NO history of autism  Results: developed social communication and playing skills.

12. CHIANG EE FONG “MUSIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM IN MALAYSIA”  Subjects: Malaysian children with autism.  Method: Encourage and teach the children to play with instruments as well as using music intervention therapy.  Conclusion: There is a strong link between musical skills and communicative skills, and that music therapy provided beneficial results as the skills sharpened.

13. THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY  The Good: Music therapy is generally agreed upon by researchers and clinicians to benefit people with autism (as well as those without) (Accordino 112).  The Bad: A shockingly large number of researchers agree that since the sample sizes for many of these experiments has been so small, further research with more clearly defined controls must be done before any concise conclusions can be made about the efficacy of such treatment (Dempsey 107).  The Ugly: Throughout the wide range of studies, researchers have come to the conclusion that until more case studies have been done on the effectiveness of modified music intervention therapy, the proposal that it is beneficial cannot be “proven” (Wigram 538).

14. SO WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?  Increase funding for research and application.  Increase awareness as a means of increasing testing.  Standardize the testing for ASD not just locally but GLOBALLY.  Actually apply the music therapy.  Easier said than done?

15. THE PROPOSALS  Funding – Re-distribute funds given from the NIH and CDC to less- proven methods of treatment for other diseases.  Increasing Awareness – Get involved locally.  Standardize Testing – Give your financial and vocal support to groups like Autism Speaks, which aims to foster international cooperation for research and treatment of ASD.  Application – Through awareness, we can get more individuals with ASD into treatment.

16. LET ME REITERATE  Get involved locally (look at your sheets!)

17. INTERESTING SIDE NOTE  More jobs for musicians!

18. CONCLUSION  Modified Music Therapy WORKS…  But we need to continue to support research of it’s application on a larger scale.  We need to raise awareness not just about ASD, but ASD treatments like Modified Music Therapy.  Cooperate internationally.

19. WORKS CITED  Accordino, Robert. “Searching For Music's Potential: A Critical Examination Of Research On Music Therapy With Individuals With Autism.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 1.1 (2007): 101-115. ScienceDirect. Web. 7 Mar. 2012.  Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks Inc.. Web. 27 Nov 2012..  "Data & Statistics." Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 2012. Web. 27 Nov 2012..  Dempsey, I. “A Review Of Educational Approaches For Individuals With Autism”. International Journal Of Disability, Development & Education. (2001): 103-116. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 6 Mar 2009.  Fong, Chaing Ee. "Music Education For Children With Autism In Malaysia." Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 9 (2010): 70-75. ScienceDirect. Web. 7 Mar 2012.  Lundqvist, Lars-Olov. "Effects Of Vibroacoustic Music On Challenging Behaviors In Individuals With Autism And Developmental Disabilities." Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 3.2 (2009): 390-400. ScienceDirect. Web. 7 Mar. 2012.  Orr, T. “The Impact Of Rhythmic Entertainment On A Person With Autism”. Focus On Autism & Other Developmental. (1998):163. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 6 Mar. 2012  Sausser, Shannon. "A Model For Music Therapy With Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders." The Arts in Psychotherapy 33.1 (2006): 1-10. ScienceDirect. Web. 7 Mar 2012.  Wigram, T. “Music Therapy In The Assessment And Treatment Of Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Clinical Application And Research Evidence.” Child: Care, Health & Development. (2006): 535-542. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 6 Mar. 2012.  Wimpory, D. “Brief Report: Musical Interaction Therapy For Children With Autism: An Evaluative Case Study With Two-Year Follow-Up”. Journal Of Autism & Developmental Disorders. (1995): 541-552. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 6 Mar. 2012.