Using a Music Therapy Collaborative Consultative Approach - World ...

124
and cerebral palsy). After 10 training sessions in which the song was used, one group
continued to wash their hands without any instruction, the second with music only, the third
with verbal instruction, and the fourth listened to the entire song. Results indicate the entire
song and the verbal instruction proved to be equally effective in maintaining the hand-
washing procedure, whereas no instruction and music alone did not maintain the skills.
Kramer suggested that using songs for repeating daily routines might be more pleasant for
children and staff than giving verbal reminders. However, no studies are available that
compare the effectiveness of strategies used for learning a proper hand-washing procedure
with young children with autism within the context of an inclusive childcare program.
Toilet Training. Besides making the first step and speaking the first word,
independent toileting is a major developmental achievement. The rationales for being toilet
trained are at least three fold: (1) it allows the child more freedom and independence to fully
participate in community activities; (2) incontinence and poor toileting hygiene can
significantly interfere with social acceptance; and (3) it opens options for childcare, school
programs or future residential programs (Bailey & Wolery, 1992; Cicero & Pfadt, 2002;
Gallender, 1980; Heffner, 2002; Wheeler, 1998). Children with autism frequently have
difficulty in managing self-care in toileting and are often confused by the sequencing actions
involved (Dalrymple & Boarman, 1992; Wheeler, 1998). The characteristics identifying
children as having autism might interfere with toilet-training techniques practiced with
typically developing children or children with other disabilities.