Autism spectrum disorder

Music therapy intervention when working with people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a relatively long history of interest and subsequent research.

Over the last fifty years, evidence-based research indicates that music therapy is proving to be effective with children with ASD. In this time, there have been numerous publications, including general texts and case studies on this subject from all over the world – making it one of the clinical areas that has received the most attention in the music therapy literature.

Early intervention with music therapy

At CIMTR, we work alongside practitioners and academics to explore how specific approaches, such as improvisational music therapy, affect growth and development of young children with ASD – advancing further understanding of the clinical application of music therapy in this area.

Recent research and publications

• Bieleninik, Lucja and Geretsegger, Monika and Mössler, Karin and Assmus, Jörg and Thompson, Grace and Gattino, Gustavo and Elefant, Cochavit and Gottfried, Tali and Igliozzi, Roberta and Muratori, Filippo and Suvini, Ferdinando and Kim, Jinah and Crawford, Mike J. and Odell-Miller, Helen and Oldfield, Amelia and Casey, Órla and Finnemann, Johanna and Carpente, John and Park, A-La and Grossi, Enzo and Gold, Christian (2017) Effects of Improvisational Music Therapy vs Enhanced Standard Care on Symptom Severity Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. JAMA, 318 (6). p. 525. ISSN 0098-7484
• Tomlinson, J. and Derrington, P. and Oldfield, Amelia (2012) Music therapy in schools: working with children of all ages in mainstream and special education. UNSPECIFIED. ISBN 9780857004741
• Oldfield, Amelia (2011) Exploring issues of control through interactive, improvised music making: music therapy diagnostic assessment and short-term treatment with a mother and daughter in a psychiatric unit.
• Oldfield, Amelia (2011) Parents' perception of being in music therapy with their children: what is our role as music therapists with parents?

If you are interested in collaborating with CIMTR to help advance research and practice in this area, email [email protected]