Family-centred music therapy to promote social engagement in young children with severe autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Limited capacity for social engagement is a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often evident early in the child's development. While these skills are difficult to train, there is some evidence that active involvement in music-making provides unique opportunities for social interaction between participants. Family-centred music therapy (FCMT) endeavours to support social engagement between child and parent within active music-making, yet the extent of benefits provided is unknown.

AIM:

This study investigated the impacts of FCMT on social engagement abilities.

METHODS:

Twenty-three children (36-60 months) with severe ASD received either 16 weeks of FCMT in addition to their early intervention programmes (n = 12), or their early intervention programme only (n = 11). Change in social engagement was measured with standardized parent-report assessments, parent interviews and clinician observation.

RESULTS:

Intention-to-treat analysis for the Vineland Social Emotional Early Childhood Scale indicated a significant effect in favour of FCMT. Thematic qualitative analysis of the parent interviews showed that the parent-child relationship grew stronger.

CONCLUSION:

FCMT improves social interactions in the home and community and the parent-child relationship, but not language skills or general social responsiveness. This study provides preliminary support for the use of FCMT to promote social engagement in children with severe ASD.

• Authors: G A Thompson, K S McFerran, C Gold
• Journal: Child: care, health and development (Child Care Health Dev) Vol. 40 Issue 6 Pg. 840-52 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1365-2214 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24261547 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Topics

• Child
• Child Development Disorders, Pervasive (psychology, therapy)
• Child, Preschool
• Communication
• Early Intervention, Educational
• Family Therapy
• Female
• Humans
• Interpersonal Relations
• Male
• Music Therapy
• Parent-Child Relations
• Parents (education, psychology)
• Treatment Outcome