A novel musical intervention for the improvement of emotional functioning in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

In this theory-driven intervention study, we plan to develop and validate a music-based therapeutic approach to train children in emotion understanding. In a 12-week intervention program, we will use methods of the Orff Schulwerk approach to music education, including games, instruments, teamwork and our own paradigm pairing emotional musical excerpts with matching displays of social emotion (happy – happy, sad – sad, etc.). Orff Schulwerk is a way to teach and learn music. It is based on things children like to do: sing, chant rhymes, clap, dance, and keep a beat on anything near at hand. This novel research study will help develop a fun, engaging and cost-effective therapeutic intervention to help children with ASD recognize and understand emotions in daily life interactions. An improved ability to recognize social emotions will allow children to form more meaningful social relationships and greatly improve their quality of life by relieving social isolation.