Early Childhood Music Therapy and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Developing Potential in Young Children and Their Families
"Many parents and professionals have noted the connection between young children with ASD and music and some have incorporated music activities into their homes or school programs. Up until now, however, there has not been a rigorous or comprehensive statement about the practice, its scope, and its possibilities. This new book is most welcome and long overdue. Its scholarly treatment of all aspects of musical approaches and therapy with young children with ASD promises to be an important contribution to the field. he best thing about this book is that it has something to offer to everyone. For the practicing therapist it explains some of the rigors of scientific approaches and nicely illustrates how musical interventions fit into the prevailing practices in the field for young children. For the scientist, it offers a comprehensive description of research, evidence-based practice, and field studies and the scientific relevance and possibilities related to the work. And for the many parents and professionals who have noticed that music and ASD often have some connection in young children, it broadens their understanding of the current scope and future possibilities. We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to the authors for finally giving this field the kind of recognition that it deserves." -Gary B. Mesibov, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill