Using Music to Help Non-Verbal Children with Autism Speak
Author Information
Author(s): Wan Catherine Y., Bazen Loes, Baars Rebecca, Libenson Amanda, Zipse Lauryn, Zuk Jennifer, Norton Andrea, Schlaug Gottfried
Primary Institution: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
Hypothesis
Can Auditory-Motor Mapping Training (AMMT) facilitate speech output in non-verbal children with autism?
Conclusion
The study found that all children showed significant improvements in their ability to articulate words and phrases after undergoing AMMT.
Supporting Evidence
- All children had no intelligible words before treatment.
- Each child received 40 individual sessions of AMMT over 8 weeks.
- Improvements in speech production were maintained in follow-up assessments.
- Participants showed significant increases in consonant-vowel approximations after therapy.
- AMMT capitalizes on the musical strengths of children with autism.
Takeaway
This study shows that music and rhythm can help kids with autism who don't talk learn to say words.
Methodology
The study used a single-subject design with 40 treatment sessions of AMMT over 8 weeks, assessing speech production before, during, and after therapy.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in participant selection and the subjective nature of speech assessments.
Limitations
The study involved a small sample size and lacked a control group.
Participant Demographics
Participants were non-verbal children aged 5 to 9 years, all diagnosed with autism.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI for trained items ranged from 0.28 to 0.96.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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