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

Although methods and strategies used in educating and treating children with autism
have changed over the past thirty years, the clinical documentation and research-based
knowledge of the impact of music for children with autism continue to have value. Still,
more updated intervention research is warranted that incorporates contemporary strategies on
the effectiveness of music therapy interventions for children with autism.
2.2.5.3 Music Therapy in Inclusive Preschool Education Programs for Children with
Autism
It is currently unknown how many music therapists are providing services for
children with autism in inclusive preschool settings, nor what model of service delivery is
generally used. The music therapy literature contains only a few descriptions that outline
music therapy services explicitly for children with autism in school settings. The following
paragraphs describe three music therapy programs of key authors in this particular field.
Snell (2002) describes serving students with autism in the Monroe County
Intermediate School District, Michigan. Music therapy is included in the continuum of
programs and services for Monroe County and serves many other students with special
needs, including preschoolers with autism who are partly enrolled in inclusive settings. The
music therapy program uses both an Integrated Service Delivery Model and a Caseload
Service Delivery Model. That means music therapy services are provided as direct therapy
(small and large group therapy), consultation (parents, teachers, support personnel,
community), and workshops and presentations (parents, staff, community). The music
therapy program emphasizes the connection to the community and the support of the child’s
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