Music, Language and Autism: Exceptional Strategies for Exceptional Minds

Adam Ockelford

Apr 2013 · Jessica Kingsley Publishers

About this ebook

Children with autism often have an intense natural musicality. This book explains how music and language 'work' as systems of communication, and why music holds such a fascination for many young people on the autism spectrum. There are strategies for showing how music can be used to support language development and even substitute for verbal communication. Exploring the progression from a young child's intuitive engagement with music, to using it as a scaffold for communication, socialisation and understanding, the book illustrates, through the use of detailed case studies, how music nurtures a sense of self and provides a positive outlet to express inner thoughts and feelings without resorting to challenging or even destructive behaviours.

Presenting an innovative approach to the use of music with people on the autism spectrum, this book will be a fascinating resource for speech and language therapists, music therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, teaching assistants, educational psychologists, carers and parents of people with autism.

About the author

Adam Ockelford is a composer, performer, researcher and professor of music who has worked extensively with children with special needs. He gained a Ph.D. in music from Goldsmiths College, developing a theory of musical understanding and development. Adam is the Secretary for the Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research ('SEMPRE'), Chair of Soundabout, a charity that supports music provision for children and young people with complex needs; and founder of The AMBER Trust, a charity that supports visually impaired children in their pursuit of music. He lives in London, UK.