Sing along

Background: Research demonstrates connections in children’s music actions, engagement episodes, and language development. Young children with autism present persistent challenges in their engagement abilities, compounded by limitations in reciprocal interactions and inflexibility in initiating and sustaining communication. Such challenges may impede language development and speech acquisition.Objective: This study explored the effectiveness of a family-centred, music therapy intervention (active music making) to promote language development of young children with autism, during parent–child music engagement episodes.Methods: Participants were 8 children with autism (aged 3–7) and their parents. An 18-week music therapy intervention was implemented. Pre- and post-data (PPVT-4; EVT-2) on children’s language abilities and qualitative data (observations, interviews, logs, audiovisual materials) on each dyad’s engaging actions were gathered and analyzed.Discussion: Analysis of the findings showed that music th

Autism · Developmental psychology · Dyad · Intervention (counseling · Language development · Music therapy · Psychotherapist · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Family and Disability Support Research · Psychology