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Music Interventions for Children with Autism: Narrative Review of the Literature

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Abstract

It is widely reported that music can be beneficial to individuals with autism. This review was undertaken to determine the evidence base for the use of music as an intervention for children with autism. After searching relevant databases, 128 articles were identified of which 20 articles met the study’s inclusion criteria. Composed songs and improvisational music therapy were the predominant music techniques used. There was somewhat limited evidence to support the use of music interventions under certain conditions to facilitate social, communicative and behavioural skills in young children with autism. The implications of these findings in terms of use of music interventions, issues related to generalization and maintenance, and future research are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, Australian Catholic University, Virginia, QLD, 4014, Australia

    Kate Simpson & Deb Keen

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  1. Kate Simpson
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  2. Deb Keen
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Correspondence to Deb Keen.

Additional information

This review is part of the first authors PhD study and is supported by a PhD scholarship—The Australian Catholic University Postgraduate Award.

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Simpson, K., Keen, D. Music Interventions for Children with Autism: Narrative Review of the Literature. J Autism Dev Disord 41, 1507–1514 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-1172-y

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