Music Therapy with Autistic Children in Aotearoa, New Zealand

In this unique text, ten cases of music therapy with autistic children (tamariki takiw?tanga) are critiqued through the eyes of family members and other autism experts. Rickson uses her wealth of experience to contextualise their rich observations in a thorough review of research and practice literature, to illustrate the ways music therapists engage autistic children in the music therapy process, highlight the various ways music therapy can support their health and well-being, and demonstrate how music therapy processes align with good practice as outlined in the New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline.

Explores the effectiveness of music therapy for children with autism spectrum conditions

Makes use of narrative assessment to analyse findings

Discusses whether music therapy could be considered an evidence-based practice