Early Childhood Music Therapy and Autism Spectrum Disorders ─ Developing Potential in Young Children and Their Families

This is a broad overview of current research and music therapy practice for young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families. Music therapy interventions based on ASD-specific treatment approaches including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Social Stories, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and DIR/Floortime Model are introduced, along with instructional strategies and techniques. The book discusses collaboration and consultation with interdisciplinary team members, including early childhood educators, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists. There is an evaluation of family-centered practice, how to integrate music into home routines and insights from music therapists who are parents of children with ASD. Case scenarios, examples, checklists, charts, tip sheets, music scores and further resources are included.

Petra Kern, Ph.D., MT-DMtG, MT-BC, MTA, owner of Music Therapy Consulting, has a clinical and research focus on young children with autism spectrum disorders, inclusion, and staff training. She is recipient of the AMTA 2008 Research/Publications Award, editor of imagine, and author of numerous publications. A former scholar at UNC at Chapel Hill, Dr Kern has taught at the University of Windsor and SUNY New Paltz, and currently teaches at Marylhurst University. She serves as the immediate Past President of the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT), on various editorial boards, and is a frequent international speaker and guest University lecturer. Petra lives in Santa Barbara, California. Marcia Humpal, M.Ed., MT-BC operates a small private practice in the Cleveland, OH area. Her clinical work focuses on early intervention and inclusion. She was a member of the advisory panel for Sesame Street's Music Works Wonders project, and has published and presented widely. A past Vice-President of AMTA, she co-chairs AMTA's Strategic Priority on Music Therapy and ASD Workgroup and serves on the editorial team of imagine. She received the AMTA Award of Merit in 2004. Marcia lives near Cleveland, OH in Olmsted Falls.