Music therapy helps autistic children

WARWICK - April is Autism Awareness Month and although there is no known cure for the condition, there are treatment and education approaches that may reduce some of the challenges that face autistic children and young adults. Certified Music Therapist, Melinda Burgard, owner of Melinda’s Music Therapy in Warwick, said she believes music is an important tool in the fight against autism. According to the Autism Society’s Web site, autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum disorder” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. Burgard along with her volunteers and group members gather together each Monday from 4:30 to 5 p.m. at the Warwick Reformed Church to help increase the socialization skills of those young people through musical activities such as singing, playing instruments and dancing. “Music therapy,” Burgard said, “is the use of music, within a developing relationship between therapist and client, as a vehicle to assist with self-esteem, socialization skills, speech, motor skills and more. And a person who participates in a music therapy session need not have any previous musical experience or talent.” Burgard utilizes community members who act as one on one mentors with each child. The volunteers are usually teenagers who are interested in pursuing a vocation in a related field. For additional information regarding this therapy for all children with special needs, including those on the Autism Spectrum, call 477-0451 or visit: www.melindasmusic.com