Abstract
This study provided a systematic analysis of improvised tone sequences of autistic children, as compared to musical improvisations by normal and mentally retarded control subjects. The data indicate that autistic children's tone patterns, analyzed and scored for rhythm, restriction, complexity, rule adherence, and originality, almost reached the scores of normal children. The highest individual total score in the study was achieved by an autistic child. Autistic children scored significantly higher than a control group of mentally retarded individuals. The autistic children's tone sequences showed high scores on the rhythm, restriction, and originality scales which support the notion of unusual musical responsiveness and abilities when compared to results in other performance and behavioral areas. In terms of complexity and rule adherence, autistic children's tone sequences resembled those of the mentally retarded by being rather short and repetitive.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Applebaum, E., Egel, A., Koegel, R., & Imhoff, B. (1979). Measuring musical abilities of autistic children.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9, 279–285.
Blackstock, E. G. (1978). Cerebral asymmetry and the development of early infantile autism.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 8, 339–353.
Damasio, A., & Maurer, R. (1978). A neurological model for childhood autism.Archives of Neurology, 35, 777–786.
Frith, U. (1972). Cognitive mechanisms in autism: Experiments with color and tone sequence production.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 2, 160–173.
Hauser, S. L., DeLong, G. R., & Rosman, N. P. (1975). Pneumographic findings in the infantile autistic syndrome.Brain, 98, 667–688.
Hodges, D. (1980). Human hearing. In D. Hodges (Ed.),Handbook of music psychology (pp. 43–62). Lawrence, KS: National Association of Music Therapy.
Hoffman, W., & Prior, M. (1982). Neuropsychological dimensions of autism in children: A test of the hemispheric dysfunction hyphothesis.Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 4, 27–42.
Hollander, F. M., & Juhrs, P. D. (1974) Orff-Schulwerk, an effective treatment tool with autistic children.Journal of Music Therapy, 11, 1–12.
Prior, M., (1979). Learning abilities and disabilities in childhood autism.Journal, of Abnormal Child Psychology, 7, 375–380.
Prior, M., & Bradshaw, J. L. (1979). Hemispheric functioning in autistic children.Cortex, 15, 73–81.
Prior, M., Tress, B., Hoffman, W., & Boldt, D. (1984). Computed tomographic study of children with classic autism.Archives of Neurology, 41, 482–484.
Pronovost, W. (1961). The speech behavior and language comprehension of autistic children.Journal of Chronic Diseases, 13, 228–233.
Rimland, B. (1964).Infantile autism. New York: Appleton-Century Crofts.
Schopler, E., & Reichler, R. J. (1979).Individualized assessment and treatment for autistic and developmentally disabled children: Vol. I. Psychoeducational profile. Baltimore: University Park Press.
Sherwin, A. (1953). Reactions to music of autistic children.American Journal of Psychiatry, 109, 823–831.
Springer, S., & Deutsch, G. (1985).Left brain, right brain New York: W. H. Freeman.
Stevens, E., & Clark, F. (1969). Music therapy in the treatment of autistic children.Journal of Music Therapy, 6, 98–104.
Tanguay, P. (1975). Clinical and electrophysiological research. In E. Ritvo (Ed.),Autism: Diagnosis, current research and management (pp. 75–84). New York: Spectrum.
Tsai, L., Jacoby, C., & Stewart, M. (1982). Unfavorable left-right asymmetries of the brain and autism: A question of methodology.British Journal of Psychiatry, 140, 312–319.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Thaut, M.H. Measuring musical responsiveness in autistic children: A comparative analysis of improvised musical tone sequences of autistic, normal, and mentally retarded individuals. J Autism Dev Disord 18, 561–571 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211874
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211874