What are the effects of long-term interactive music therapy on young adults with severe autism?

Music therapy for autism?

• For my research, I have these two questions : 3. How is music therapy used with people affected by intellectual disabilities? 5. How is music therapy used with children affected by disabilities? I've been looking up music therapy on people with autism, but most of the information it comes up with is to do with CHILDREN with autism. Which question should I apply it to?

• Answer:

  The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) has a very helpful website (www.musictherapy.org) which may answer many of your questions. In my own music therapy practice, I've used music therapy with people of all ages affected by intellectual disabilities, including children and adults with autism, Down's, Pervasive Developmental Disabilities (PDD-NOS), and a host of other diagnoses. Music therapists first assess each client to determine how they respond to musical stimuli cognitively, motorically, emotionally, socially, as well as how each person communicates. Strengths and challenges are determined from which therapeutic, non-musical goals are determined.