Unlocking the Healing Power of Indian Music Therapy for Autism
- Dr.Sailaja Pisapati, Psy
- Jul 21, 2024
- 4 min read
Autism is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily occurs in children. It is characterized by abnormal functioning in social interaction, communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. It is a condition that is marked by a behavioral phenotype of impaired social interaction and stereotypic conduct.
To summarize, there are 2 distinctive features that Autism is characterized by 1) persistent deficits in the social communication and interaction across
multiple contexts - including deficits in socio-emotional reciprocity, deficits in non-verbal communicative behaviors and deficits in maintaining and understanding interpersonal relationships 2) Restricted, repeated patterns of behavior which includes stereotyped movements, inflexible adherence to routines, and hyper or hypo reactivity to sensory inputs. Since there is a
wide variation range in the type and intensity of symptoms experienced by individuals with autism, the illness is referred to as a "spectrum" disorder.
Coming to the Neurological basis of this condition; individuals with autism may have atypical brain growth patterns during their early development. The key brain areas that get affected include the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala and the cerebellum. These brain areas play a major role in higher cognitive functions, emotional processing and motor coordination, control respectively. An individual with this condition experiences imbalance in the levels of neurotransmitters namely serotonin (which is responsible for the mood regulation) . Imbalances in the excitatory and inhibitory neuro-transmitter systems such as GABA and glutamate contribute to the sensory and cognitive features of autism. Individuals with autism may have difficulty with focusing on a specific stimuli or even maintaining focus and attention on a task for an extended period of time. If they are given consecutive tasks to focus on and are expected to shift their attention from one stimulus to another, that’s something they struggle with as well.
Some individuals may also face memory issues specifically with their working memory and episodic memory. Challenges with working memory include the inability to hold and process information for shorter periods of time. The ability to recall specific events or experiences (episodic memory) that have occurred may also be present. Further moving on to the social and emotional functioning of individuals with autism ; while it has been understood that identification and interpretation of social cues and emotions is a challenge, many autistic individuals also face challenges with maintaining eye contact, experience discomfort when touched and also have difficulty in regulating their emotional responses. Gaining insight into the above discussed functions in the context of autism, can aid in
creating specific interventions and support strategies to improve the overall quality of life for individuals on the spectrum.
One such intervention which has proved to be effective for the treatment of autism amongst children, is Music Therapy. Music is an essential part of existence for every single human being on this planet. There is no denying that music has an impact on human emotions, including stress, happiness, melancholy, and anger. The origins of ancient Indian classical music
date back 2000 years. Its foundation is made up of seven fundamental notes (also known as swars) that were taken from animal and bird-like sounds. These notes can be modified and blended to produce melodic structures with "Raga"style musical patterns. Ragas are nothing but
an arrangement of these 7 notes into a melodic tune. These ragas evoke a variety of mental feelings that have beneficial impacts on the body (Gandhe, et al., 2020). Throughout the day, several Ragas are performed vocally or instrumentally at specific times due to their profoundly uplifting effects on the mind and body.
Music therapy has several benefits for children or adults with ASD. One major advantage of music therapy for autism is that it improves communication skills which leads to the improvement of the child’s and adult’s verbal plus non-verbal communication. In addition to fostering improved communication skills, music therapy helps improve social skills including sharing, learning to take-turns and joint attention particularly between the parent and child. Secondly, music therapy also plays an important role in emotion regulation, reduction of anxiety and stress amongst people with ASD. Thirdly, cognitive abilities like memory, problem-solving, and attention can be enhanced through music therapy. Creativity, self-expression, and self-esteem are certain components that are focused on closely, while engaging with the technique of music therapy. Due to its adaptability and versatility, music therapy can be utilized in a variety of
settings, including homes, hospitals, and schools. The structure and approach of the therapy session is tailored by the music therapist, according to the needs of the child or adult with autism.
Interactions through live, improvised music is encouraged. Apart from this, using instruments such as guitars, keyboards, blocks, sticks to strike percussion instruments, xylophones to recorded music and music videos are utilized to facilitate social interaction and communication between the therapist and the client with autism.
Providing a brief overview of a case study I found that dealt with the application of this strategy in people with autism...
A case study of a 10 year old child with autism, experiencing difficulties in
communication, social interaction and frequent emotional outbursts. The initial assessment involved understanding the child’s preferences and sensitivities to different sounds and instruments. Post this, the morning session involved the usage of Raag Bhairav for its calming effect to the start of the day, Raag Kafi was used to wind down and achieve emotional regulation during the evening session. The child was introduced to basic tabla rhythms to improve motor coordination and rhythm. The child was also engaged in singing and humming to enhance communication skills.
Through engaging in frequent sessions, the progression and results were
observed in the form of active participation towards the sessions, notable improvements in responsiveness and verbal communication along with reduction in the intensity and frequency of emotional outbursts. This proves that the child was able to demonstrate a distinguished sense of
self-regulation. Another such therapy module that is used amongst autistic children to develop intellectually and socially is the ‘Floor Time Therapy’. It is a part of the comprehensive developmental, individual-difference, relationship-based intervention, that relies on the assumptions that children differ in their underlying capacities for motor and sensory processing ;
that language, cognition, emotional, and social skills are learned through relationships involving emotionally meaningful exchanges, and that development in all domains is interconnected (Chaudhuri, et al., 2019).
Indian ragas have a well-established therapeutic history when it comes to treating a wide range of psychological issues. Indian ragas are believed to affect distinct chakras or energy centers and generate harmony within the body.
Furthermore, we will delve deeper into cases where the positive impact of music is clearly demonstrated.
@Article by Intern Student
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