Advancing in Autism Spectrum Disorder Music TherApy
ABOUT THE SERIES
Explore research-informed and family-centered approaches to music therapy with autistic children through perspectives from leading clinicians, researchers, educators, and allied professionals. This ten-part series examines current evidence, clinical strategies, telehealth, neuroscience, sensory processing, interdisciplinary collaboration, and parent-implemented approaches. Together, the sessions connect research with practical application while highlighting strategies that support participation, communication, learning, and meaningful engagement for autistic children and their families.
O1 New Essentials: ECMT & ASD
DR. PETRA KERN
Review essential information about autism spectrum disorder, including prevalence, diagnostic features, and evidence-based practices, and consider how music-mediated interventions can strengthen access to music therapy services.
02 Latest Research: Updates on MT & ASD
DR. JENNIFER WHIPPLE
Examine the current state of music therapy research in autism, including challenges related to scientific rigor, evaluation, and recognition of music therapy as an evidence-based intervention.
03 Practice Guidelines: Strategies that Work
DR. PETRA KERN · MARCIA HUMPAL
Explore practical behavioral strategies for structuring sessions, supporting successful participation, prompting clients effectively, and helping children generalize skills beyond the music therapy setting.
04 Telehealth: Video Modeling with Families
TODD SCHWARTZBERG
Discover how video modeling can support telehealth services with autistic children and their families, including approaches for building, maintaining, and generalizing social skills through family participation.
05 Neurodevelopmental Updates: Into Practice
DR. BLYTHE LAGASSE
Explore current developments in neuroscience and autism and consider how purposeful music stimuli and active music engagement can support neuroplasticity and inform clinical music therapy practice.
06 Sensory Processing: Strategies for MTs
DR. LINN WAKEFORD
Examine sensory processing differences in autistic children and learn how music therapists can use clinical reasoning, environmental adaptations, and collaboration with occupational therapists to create meaningful sensory experiences.
07 MTs and SLPs: Creative Collaborations
LORI LUNDEEN-SMITH
Explore interdisciplinary collaboration between music therapists and speech-language pathologists and consider creative strategies for supporting speech, language, and communication development in onsite and telepractice services.
08 Family Practice: Parental Capacity Building
DR. DARCY DELOACH
Examine approaches for building parents’ confidence and skills by embedding participatory music-based strategies into everyday family routines, activities, and naturally occurring learning opportunities.
09 Insights: Talking with a Parent and Son
MARCIA HUMPAL · TERRY BLAINE · MICHAEL DESISTO
Hear family perspectives on raising an autistic child through a conversation centered on lived experience, developmental journeys, challenges, strengths, and stories of success.
10 Hot Topics: What Do the Experts Say?
DR. PETRA KERN · MARCIA HUMPAL · DR. EUGENIA HERNANDEZ · ESTHER THANE
Consider emerging issues in autism-focused music therapy through an expert discussion addressing parent-implemented interventions, telepractice, current trends, and questions shaping contemporary practice.
