I am currently a senior in the Occupational Therapy program. As I prepare to go out on fieldwork in the upcoming semesters, reflecting on how music relates to occupational therapy has had a benefit in my thinking of my future job. I have had the amazing opportunity to be working with children with disabilities for many years. Most of the children I have worked with have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined as, “a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate, and interact with others” (“About Autism | Autism Society" 1). Along with affecting communication and interaction, a lot of children have difficulty with the processing …show more content…
According to Doman and Lawrence, to complete the listening program, the child listens to the music 1 to 2 times a day for 15 minutes, 5 days a week, for eight to sixteen weeks. (1). The program was made with neuroplasticity in mind. This means, that when stimulated, neurons will branch out and create new connections. It allows sounds to be processed by the brain and improves the perception of the sounds. Communication skills will then improve with the increase in the processing of sound. When it comes to auditory hypersensitivity, the sound stimulation given through the program, allows, “the nervous system to better modulate sensory input” (Doman and Lawrence 2). When sensory input is modulated, it allows an individual to be comfortable in their environment. Children with Autism may not be comfortable in a crowded room because of the amount of auditory stimulation occurring. Using this program will allow the child to become more comfortable with auditory stimulation and will allow them to be in environments that they once felt uncomfortable