Music therapy may help people with autism to improve skills in areas such as communication, social skills, sensory issues, behavior, cognition, perceptual/motor skills, and self-reliance or self-determination. Music therapy does not alleviate social difficulties in children with autism, suggests a large international study1 .

 

Engaging with music is thought to help children become more flexible, responsive and attentive, leading to better social and communication skills. Music therapy helps individuals with ASD identify and appropriately express their emotions. Because music is processed in both hemispheres of the brain, it can stimulate cognitive functioning and may be used for remediation of some speech/language skills.

 

Music intervention has been shown to improve social interactions in children with autism, and neuroimaging studies in healthy controls have shown that circuits important for emotion and memory processing are engaged during music listening. Music can improve mood, increase intelligence, enhance learning and concentration, and ward off the effects of brain aging. Music therapy can help various mood and brain disorders, and improve the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients. Music can restore some of the cognitive functions, sensory and motor functions of the brain after a traumatic injury. Music does more than just put us in a good mood. It's a wonder drug that sets a lot of things right: It energises your mind, eases stress, evokes emotions and soothes your soul. Playing an instrument can actually help your brain function better. Faster reaction times, better long-term memory, even improved alertness are just a few of the ways playing music can help. Studies have also shown that children who learn to play music do better at math and have improved language skills. The takeaway. Though evidence may be limited on some methods, music therapy has been found to be effective for stress reduction and relaxation and has been shown to offer many health benefits.

 

There is little risk to listening to music. Music can be a source of pleasure and contentment, but there are many other psychological benefits as well. Music can relax the mind, energize the body, and even help people better manage pain. The notion that music can influence your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors probably does not come as much of a surprise. Here are 5 ways for you to validate, change, and challenge music's role as your personal "therapy": • Listen to music that enhances your current emotional state. ... • Listen to music that changes your current emotional state. ... • Be purposeful with your auditory environment. ... • Actively listen to the music. • Listen outside your comfort zone. Music therapists work in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, day care treatment centers, agencies serving persons with developmental disabilities, community mental health centers, drug and alcohol programs, senior centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, ...

 

What is a Music Therapist?

 

In abroad A music therapist is part of an employment subgroup of creative arts therapists who use the arts to treat mental illness, provide support for individuals with disabilities, and to promote wellness and personal growth and creativity. Music therapists work in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, day care treatment centers, agencies serving persons with developmental disabilities, community mental health centers, drug and alcohol programs, senior centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, ...