Literature review- topic: Music therapy intervention implemented to develop speaking and social sills in children aged 2-6 years of age.
I would like the setting of the intervention to be a family centred music therapy (in family comes) in a one-to-one structure, with parents allowed and encouraged to assist and learn how to engage their child so they are able to follow up in out of session hours.
Ideally sessions would run 4 days per week for 1 hour per day. Exception criteria should be included for the participants with limited time schedule e.g parents are unable to fit 4 hours of therapy into there schedule over 4 days, in which case a tailored program could be made for that child where they can do more hours in one or 2 days if their attention and memory allows for this and if it is appropriately suited to the individual child to make this adjustment. Any other possible exceptions should also be included.
Identification of the problem
Autism is a serious psychological disorder commonly characterised by impairment in three main areas:
(1) Difficulty in reciprocal social interaction.
(2) Difficulties in communication, for example they may have delayed or absent speech, or use words in an abnormal manner.
(3) Restricted, stereotyped, repetitive behaviour.
The onset of this disorder occurs during infancy.
(American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000 as cited in Raglio,
Traficante and Oasi, 2011).
Statement of the problem
Professionals have tried a broad range of interventions and approaches to assist children with Autism. Music as a non- verbal aspect of communication has been implemented successfully, as a medium to engage the child and facilitator in musical-emotional communication ( Alvin 1978; Alvin and Warwick 1992; Malloch and Trevarthen 2009 as cited in Simpson and Keen, 2011). This review will present a music therapy intervention that is implemented to understand its impact on speaking and social skills in children with Autism.

References
List of references that could be used literature review based on this topic (maximum of 5 can be used)
Raglio, A., Traficante, D., & Oasi, O. (2011). Autism and music therapy. Intersubjective approach and music therapy assessment. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 20(2), 123-141 119p. doi:10.1080/08098130903377399
Simpson, K., & Keen, D. (2011). Music Interventions for Children with Autism: Narrative Review of the Literature. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 41(11), 1507-1514 1508p. doi:10.1007/s10803-010-1172-y
Association, A. M. T. (2010). Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Music Therapy Research and Evidence Based Practice Support Retrieved from http://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/bib_autism10.pdf
Braithwaite, M., & Sigafoos, J. (1998). Effects of Social versus Musical Antecedents on Communication Responsiveness in Five Children with Developmental Disabilities. Journal of Music Therapy, 35(2), 88-104. doi:10.1093/jmt/35.2.88
Gattino, G. S., Riesgo, R. d. S., Longo, D., Leite, J. C. L., & Faccini, L. S. (2011). Effects of relational music therapy on communication of children with autism: a randomized controlled study. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 20(2), 142-154 113p. doi:10.1080/08098131.2011.566933
Thompson, G., & McFerran, K. S. (2015). “We’ve got a special connection”: qualitative analysis of descriptions of change in the parent–child relationship by mothers of young children with autism spectrum disorder. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 24(1), 3-26 24p. doi:10.1080/08098131.2013.858762
Thompson, G. A., McFerran, K. S., & Gold, C. (2014). Family-centred music therapy to promote social engagement in young children with severe autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled study. Child: Care, Health & Development, 40(6), 840-852 813p. doi:10.1111/cch.12121
Assessment 1: Critical literature review (60%)
Length: Up to 2500 words
Rationale
Researching a problem in therapeutic recreation is a critical aspect of professional practice as a therapeutic recreation professional. This task will prepare students to undertake a research project in an area specific to therapeutic recreation.
Task
You are to choose an area of interest in therapeutic recreation/diversional therapy and formulate a research question and an appropriate rationale for the project. You should utilise at least five references.
(references should be journal articles preferably peer reviewed).
1. Aim/s, objectives (outcomes), purpose or rationale for the project
2. A statement of the problem
3. Review of relevant literature and where necessary re-statement of the problem or creation of hypotheses
4. A methodology for researching the problem
5. Ways of collecting the data including questions to be asked, procedures for sampling, instruments to be used, methods of data analysis etc
6. Ways in which the data may be treated and the techniques proposed for recording and reporting the findings.
7. Suggestions for the future
Criteria
You will be assessed on the following:
• Identification of the problem
• Statement of the problem
• Study purpose
• Background
• Hypothesis
• Methodology
• Writing style
Resources
Review articles and resources in the library for research methods in therapeutic recreation.
Rubric: Assessment 1- Literature Review
Criteria Unsatisfactory Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction
Identification of the problem
5%
Fails to provide information on the problem. Some description of the problem, however not fully developed. Clear description of the problem. Insightful description of the problem. Presents a succinct, insightful statement of the problem.
Statement of the problem
9% Does not provide a clear description of the research problem or adequately describe the research problem.
Some description of the research problem included. A couple of factors that affect the problem have been considered and the problem has been stated. Clearly describes the research problem. Presents clear and concise statements of the problem. The statement of the problem demonstrates some understanding of the research problem being addressed. Some factors that affect the problem have been considered. The succinct statement of the problem demonstrates a sound understanding of research problem being addressed.
There is clear demonstration of the factors that affect the problem.
Purpose of the study
9% Purpose either not well defined or does not logically flow from the statement of the problem. Has attempted to define the purpose of the study. Purpose of the study has been defined. Clearly defined in one or two sentences which flow from the statement of the problem. Well-articulated purpose of the study which flows logically from the statement of the problem.
Background to the problem. Review of relevant problem
Literature review
9%
Sources used uncritically. Logical structure is missing /inappropriate.
Provides limited content for the study.
Limited synthesis of literature.
Literature is restated with minor analysis. Some context provided for the study, however lacks critical review of the literature, or justification for the study. Provides context for the study.
Identifies gaps in literature thereby providing justification for the study.
Critical evaluation of most sources use.
Logical structure. The literature review has addressed the relevant problem with the literature. Some gaps identified providing some insight into justifying the study. Context for the study clearly articulated, identifying gaps in the literature, providing sound, clear justification for the study with critical evaluations of all sources used.
Logical structure is present and has a high coherence level.
Hypotheses
9% Unclear or, inappropriate questions and or hypotheses. Research questions are not fully developed. Research questions are logically stated. Research questions or hypotheses clearly stated. Research questions or hypotheses clearly articulated.
Methodology for researching problem outlined
9% Research paradigm or
theoretical basis not
clearly articulated, not
present or incorrect
Study design not clearly presented
Sample size, participant
and recruitment not fully described
Data collection and
analysis methods
incomplete or incorrect
Ethical considerations
unclear /not included
Three or more aspect of methodology are
presented in a logical
order including research paradigm, study design, sample size, recruitment,
data collection, analysis methods and ethical considerations. Research paradigm
presented and theoretical basis outlined.
Study design clearly
Presented.
Sample data collection and analysis methods
well presented.
All aspects of the
methodology have been presented in sequential order including research
paradigm, study design, sample size, recruitment, data
collection, analysis
methods and ethical
considerations
Data collection and
analysis methods
very well presented.
Research paradigm and theoretical basis
clearly and concisely
articulated.
Study design is clear and comprehensive
Sample size, participant
and recruitment
described
Data collection and
analysis methods clearly and concisely articulated.
Writing style
5%
Sentence structure conveys meaning, but grammatical errors are present.
Style not suited to therapeutic recreation or occasional readability problems. Sentence structure, including
grammar, follow general conventions
Style suited to therapeutic recreation, but occasional readability problems or errors. Sentence structure,
Including grammar,
follow general
conventions
Style suited to therapeutic recreation, but occasional
readability problems or
errors. Sentence structure,
including
grammar, follow
general conventions
Style suited to therapeutic recreation,
including person first objective language where appropriate.
Clearly, concisely and
well-articulated
Free of errors
Highly readable, style
suited to therapeutic
recreation.
Referencing
5% A number of referencing errors.
Limited number and range of references.
A limited number and range of references.
The variety of sources if somewhat limited, though has been attempted.
Appropriate referencing is applied, with a few errors using a range of references from a variety of sources. Appropriate referencing style demonstrated both in text and in the reference list.
A wide range of references from a variety of sources, used with minimal errors. Excellent referencing skills are demonstrated both in text and in the reference list.
An extensive range of references from a variety of sources has been used with no errors.