Adapting music teaching methods for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders
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Date
2019
Authors
Nell, Nadia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Teaching piano to an autistic learner requires a piano teacher who understands
autism and can adapt teaching material according to the individual’s learning
strengths. Literature revealed little information about practical and structural piano
teaching methods that can be applied in a private lesson for autistic learners. This
dissertation explored the practical adaptation of piano teaching methods to tutor
autistic learners in a one-on-one music environment. A qualitative research method
was applied and a practical action research strategy was used to teach 12 autistic
learners to play the piano. Participants were selected using purposeful, stratified
sampling. Journal writings and observations were kept, evaluating each participant’s
progress at the piano over a period of six months, while secondary information was
gathered through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were completed by
parents and schoolteachers. The data were analysed thematically and themes as
well as subthemes emerged that were synthesised with existing literature. The
findings indicate that piano lessons should be taught by using visual adaptation as
well as considering the learners’ physical development and comorbidities. Piano
lessons also had a positive effect on autistic learners’ daily activities and progress
was noticed in physical improvement, communication and social interaction, and
academic improvement as well as emotional development. The results showed that
10 of the 12 participants could play easy piano pieces with confidence after six
months of weekly lessons. The conclusion of this study could be valuable for
teachers interested in teaching autistic learners piano, providing practical guidance
how teachers could adapt the teaching methods and the environment as well as the
inclusion of physical activities in the lessons. The lessons also fit into the theoretical
scheme of the Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Interventions (NDBI), allowing
parents to practise and apply concepts learned in class at home and in daily
activities, strengthening the child’s motivation.
Description
Dissertation (M.Mus. (Music))--University of the Free State, 2019
Keywords
Piano teaching methods, piano lessons and autism, effect of music lessons on autistic learners, music and autism, piano lessons as an intervention