Music Therapy Argumentative Essay

Music’s therapeutic effects have been observed since ancient times, though; the clinical practice of music therapy became truly widespread during the 1940s, when hospitals employed musicians to aid in the treatment of veterans (American Music Therapy Assoc.). Now music therapy has a number of practical applications. For children with autism, music therapy allows them to lead a fulfilling life, increase communication and social skills, reinforce academic skills as well as life skills.
ASD is an abbreviation of Autism Spectrum Disorder, a disorder characterized by “social-interaction difficulties, communication challenges and a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviors”. ASD has become so prevalent in our society that “1 in 68 children are
Many individuals with autism as well as autism specialists believe that the “cure culture” perpetuated by society harms disabled people, such as those with autism. (Schaber). The correction of behaviors such as “stimming” (the repetition of sensory behaviors like hand flapping or spinning) through therapy is unnecessary and potentially detrimental if the child is not harming himself as they are “the child’s reaction to stimuli and are a non-typical way to release stress,” (Autism and Stimming, the Good and the Bad). One of the benefits of music therapy for children with ASD is that while music therapy can help achieve behavioral goals, it is less intense than therapies specifically designed to control
This approach makes therapy sessions less stressful for a child with ASD as many children with autism have “innate musical talents ; thus, music therapy provides an opportunity for successful experiences” (American Music Therapy Association). Music therapy is very effective as a play based treatment or combined with play based therapy such as The Greenspan Floortime Approach™. Floortime is a play based therapy that “meets children where they are and builds upon their strengths and abilities through creating a warm relationship and interacting”, a shared trait with music therapy. (About Floortime). Increasing interaction and bonding with the child can increase the overall effectiveness of therapy for the child as the provider gets to better know the strengths of the child and build upon them. Studies show that floortime combined with music therapy elicits “more instances of emotional expression and social engagement” (Improvisational Music Therapy for Children with