STRUCTURE

Definition of disorder and background/ statsAutism Spectrum Australia describes autism as: lifelong developmental disabilities characterised by marked difficulties in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours and sensory sensitivities.

It is, for many, a very disabling condition that presents substantial challenges for those affected, their families and friends. As noted above, the condition is lifelong, although the social, communication and sensory deficits that some experience may be remediated with the use of intervention therapies and structured support. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed on the basis of behavioural criteria. There is no medical testing available to diagnose these disorders.

The 2012 SDAC showed an estimated 115,400 Australians (0.5%) had autism. This was a 79% increase on the 64,400 people estimated to have the condition in 2009.

In SDAC 2012, Autism spectrum disorders were more commonly found in males than females. Males were 4 times more likely than females to have the condition, with prevalence rates of 0.8% and 0.2% respectively. This is consistent with overseas estimates.

Intro music therapy and how it helps symptoms"All humans have the capacity to sympathise with rhythmic and melodic movements of both body and voice" (Blacking, 1987)

The foundation of Nordoff-Robbins' approach to music therapy stands in the belief that everyone is susceptible to an innate musicality, irrespective of their diagnosis. Music therapy, especially the Nordoff-Robbins approach, aims to discover hidden potentials. The aim of the therapist is then to siphon that potential through the barriers of disabilities and other restrictions, encouraging and challenging the child to freely be creative. The psychotherapeutic process of music therapy can help a child develop a more positive self image and change his/her attitude, enforcing some self-control within the individual (Wigram et al. 1995).Working with what the child is first capable of, skills are further developed through repetitions, stimulations and encouragement.

Our services

We offer both individual and group music therapy sessions. Within the sessions, the aims revolve around improving communicative, developmental and social skills for the client. Working closely together, music therapy is a medium through which the motivation to learn and grow is fostered. Using various structured and non structured activities, music therapy addresses various issues and promotes skills such as:

Communicative-

Encouraging singing and vocal expressions through songs

Making personal choices regarding activities and instruments

Suggesting movements for the group to participate in

Increasing flexibility in structure through free musical improvisations

Social-

Interacting with others by sharing and playing instruments together

Learning to take turns and listening for instructions

Waiting for musical cues and promoting awareness of others through drumming

Presenting others with a choice and waiting for their responses

Developmental-

Learning how to play instruments that require different motor skills

Enunciating sounds and words into the microphone

Physically moving to the music

Case study/ story

References