The Application of Music Therapy in Children with Autism

Abstract

Autism rehabilitation is a global public health issue. Given the urgency and importance of promoting therapeutic interventions for autism, research into the rehabilitation of children with autism has swiftly become a focal point across medical, psychological, and educational circles. Clinical observations suggest that most children with autism demonstrate a heightened sensitivity to music compared to the general population, rendering music a novel therapeutic intervention. Decades of research into music therapy and autism have primarily focused on enhancing children's emotional state, communication skills, cognitive abilities, and behavioral imitation interaction. However, due to a lack of systematic theoretical expertise and interdisciplinary integration, there is currently no effective treatment method for autism. This review uses the piano as an example, summarizing the intervention methods of music games for children with autism, exploring new avenues and educational methods for rehabilitation, and outlining the feasibility of improving music therapy measures. This is a narrative review based on the relevant literature from PubMed and Google Scholar databases between 2000 to 2022. This work aims to encourage the broader application of music therapy among individuals with autism to aid their rehabilitation and integration into mainstream society.