#Muziektherapie #Autisme: Relational factors can contribute to a positive outcome.

It won't be surprised that good relationships deliver good results, because meaningful relational experiences are crucial to all of us in our daily lives. The development of a relationship with a child with autism however, may be disturbed due to the level of symptoms that interfere with the typical development of emotional and social skills. In a new study, researchers from GAMUT, Uni Research Health and University of Bergen were able to show that the quality of the therapeutic relationship predicts generalized changes in social skills in children with autism spectrum status (ASC). This predictor study included 48 children between 4 and 7 years of age who makeshift weekly music therapy received over a 5-month period. Results related to the child's social skills were measured before and after treatment. Based on session videos, the researchers assessed the relationship between the child and the therapist. Findings from this study show a significant reduction in symptoms, if a relationship was developed in which the therapist was emotionally and musically aligned with the child's expressions. Improvement in communication and language skills in particular was associated with the quality of the therapeutic relationship.