Music Vs Autism: a path to integration

By Daywuy Mejias / Translated by Carlos Cabello

It is well known to us all that the pleasant effect of music can transcend our mood. When we hear some melody knows our body sends immediate answers that take us to specific places, people, situations or feelings; It causes us to dance, sing, laugh or cry and this is due to the great expressive and persuasive power that music has in various genres and styles. The close link between society and music as the manifestation of the first one, allow us in the best sense, make us of one to improve the other, is why today is as much a social as a human subject treated through subtle chords: Autism and music.

Understanding Autism Syndrome as a disorder (mild, moderate or acute) of the development of permanent brain functions, presents a general symptomatology that can roughly describe as an incapacity that affects the fields of social interaction, communication, behaviour and expressions, both verbal and non-verbal, as well as the intellectual and emotional development of a child. In this sense, we can establish a successful bridge of treatment in terms of sound and manifest facts in children with autistic spectrum.

According to studies conducted in the field of the effects of music on brain responses such as the well-known “Mozart Effect” among others, Music Education is presented as a valuable tool for stability, comfort and skill development in the treated child through sound and its positive effect tied to behaviour and balance both physical and emotional and intellectual. This practice is called Music Therapy, branch of the musical study that uses compositions due to its rhythmic matrix, melodic line and cadences. These are considered to treat emotional, cognitive and psychomotor affections, in order to create an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation that allow to connect the cerebral functions through the sound fact.

Studies have shown that the treatment of the child through music, has managed to reduce overt symptoms, improving focus and concentration times as well as expressive and sensory skills and activation of neuronal connections. Seen from this point of view, let us take advantage of and use the “Universal Language: Music” as a binding and integrating element in the face of the challenges of this “modern” society.