Music: The All Powerful Medicine

2427 Words5 Pages

Music Therapy is a relatively new therapy. Music has long been credited as a brain stimulant. Studies have even shown that students in music classes and education programs are measurably better on standardized tests and in many aspects of the academic world. That is why Music, over the last 60 plus years has been used in the health care industry. Music Therapy is a growing trend in helping heal autistic children. With all of the medicines out there to help autism, the parents need to know that there are alternatives and combinations that may best help their child.

Music Therapy originated in treatment hospitals for World War II Veterans. The doctors and hospital staff realized that the musicians needed training to interact with the patients. They originally had just played music in the hospitals around the patients and did not have any training other than their music training. These realizations lead to the creation of the first college degree program for Music Therapy at Michigan State University (Cutting Edge Therapies p 242-247).

Different venues, from children to Alzheimer’s Patients use Music Therapy (AMTA). According to the American Music Therapy Association “Music Therapy interventions can be designed to: Promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improved communication, and promote physical rehabilitation”. All types of people including people with not existing medical conditions benefit from therapy, and that therapy can incorporate all types of music. A News Paper Article in New Jersey even states that Music Therapy has uses for anything from birth to adults. The AMTA States that “Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accompl...

... middle of paper ...

...nal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 38.9 (2008): 1758-1766. ERIC. EBSCO.Web. 6 April 2011.

"Music Therapy Association of BC: How Does Music Therapy Work?" Music Therapy Association of BC: Welcome to the Music Therapy Association of BC! Web. 7 Apr. 2011.

"Using the Language of Music." Web. 7 Apr. 2011.

Siri, Ken, and Tony Lyons. Cutting-edge Therapies for Autism, 2010-2011. New York, NY: Skyhorse Pub., 2010. Print.

Wakefield, Andrew J. Callous Disregard: Autism and Vaccines-- the Truth behind a Tragedy. New York: Skyhorse Pub., 2010. Print.

The American Music Therapy Association. Web. Mar.-Apr. 2011.

Wigram, T, and C Gold. "Music therapy in the assessment and treatment of autistic spectrum disorder: clinical application and research evidence." Child: Care, Health And Development 32.5 (2006): 535-542.MEDLINE. EBSCO.Web. 6 April 2011.

More about Music: The All Powerful Medicine

Open Document