This session at the Rebecca Center for Music Therapy highlighted the role of music therapy in fostering relationships and engagement for children with autism. Dr. John Carpente and Michael Kelliher discussed how improvisational music therapy supports joint attention, sensory integration, motor planning, and emotional regulation. They emphasized the use of spontaneous, live musical interactions to encourage back-and-forth engagement, with therapists adapting their play to the child’s responses. The goal is to extend social interactions, enhance communication, and develop cognitive flexibility. Their approach aligns with a developmental model, focusing on meeting the child where they are and gradually expanding their engagement in meaningful ways.
Signs of Virtual Autism vs Real Autism
This video is important because it helps parents quickly understand the difference between virtual autism (caused by excessive screen time
