Effects of Music Therapy on People with Autism

I. Introduction

a. Define autism

b. What is music therapy

c. Thesis – Music therapy can be used to help alleviate some of the difficulties that people who suffer from autism have with communication and building relationships with others.

d. What types of music therapy are there?

e. What are the possible causes of autism? (genetic, environmental)

f. Affects of music on other areas (i.e. Mozart effect)

II. More detailed explanation of problem or question;

a. Why I chose the topic (the Sexton children, Spence, Andy)

b. Why is it important? (helps to improve socialization and possibly make happier people?)

c. Who is this important to? (teachers, parents, the children themselves)

III. Lit Review/Trends/Current Research

a. History

b. Literature – discrepancies, agreeances, case studies

IV. Main Body – Methodology (step by step process to address issue) IN DETAIL (interviews with parents of autistic children, and personal experiences with them, talk with teachers of those children)

V. Results (activities that could help get autistic children involved? (aka marching band, etc)

VI. Discussion (discuss results – meet or not meet expectations? recommendations for future studies?)

VII. Conclusion

VIII. References/Works Cited