Searching for music's potential: A critical examination of research on music therapy with individuals with autism

The authors conducted a literature review on music therapy for individuals with autism because of the frequent use of music therapy for those with autism and recent research on the musical abilities of this population. To accomplish this narrative review, articles were searched from relevant databases, reference lists from articles, and book chapters to provide a thorough critique of past research, which was categorized according to the area of symptomology the therapy intended to treat (social, communicative, behavioral). Music therapists and researchers have carried out mostly case studies and a surprisingly limited number of empirical investigations. Although these reports provide limited empirical support of the therapy with this population, they have utilized a wide array of creative techniques and varying types of music therapy worthy of discussion. The qualities of necessary future empirical investigations are explored.