title: Family-centred music therapy to promote social engagement in young children with severe autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Limited capacity for social engagement is a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often evident early in the child's development. While these skills are difficult to train, there is some evidence that active involvement in music-making provides unique opportunities for social interaction between participants. Family-centred music therapy (FCMT) endeavours to support social engagement between child and parent within active music-making, yet the extent of benefits provided is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the impacts of FCMT on social engagement abilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three children (36-60 months) with severe ASD received either 16 weeks of FCMT in addition to their early intervention programmes (n = 12), or their early intervention programme only (n = 11). Change in social engagement was measured with standardized parent-report assessments, parent interviews and clinician observation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intention-to-treat analysis for the Vineland Social Emotional Early Childhood Scale indicated a significant effect in favour of FCMT. Thematic qualitative analysis of the parent interviews showed that the parent-child relationship grew stronger.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FCMT improves social interactions in the home and community and the parent-child relationship, but not language skills or general social responsiveness. This study provides preliminary support for the use of FCMT to promote social engagement in children with severe ASD.
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: McFerran
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gold
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009147:Music Therapy; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: autism spectrum disorder; family-centred service; music therapy; randomized trials; social relationships