Anxiety Symptoms, Childhood Autism and Improvisational Music Therapy: A Clinical Method

Author

Talaye Zarafshandardaky, Lesley UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-18-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Rebecca Zarate

Abstract

This capstone thesis explores the efficacy of improvisational music therapy in reducing symptoms of anxiety among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Through a clinical review of the literature on the topic of anxiety symptoms, autism disorder and improvisational music therapy in conjunction with individual music therapy sessions with one student, which pertained one session of music therapy per week for a month with a client, diagnosed with autisms disorder. The participant was observed from his transition from class to music therapy session until the end of the day at school. The observations found from the study suggest that children who are diagnosed with autism and experience anxiety would benefit from improvisational music therapy.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Zarafshandardaky, Talaye, "Anxiety Symptoms, Childhood Autism and Improvisational Music Therapy: A Clinical Method" (2019). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 179.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/179