The influence of music technology on the academic behavior of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

This study explored the effects of combining two music technology teaching approaches, holistic music educational approach for young children (HMEAYC) and multisensory musical activities (MSMAs), on children’s academic behavior performances. The venue was a nonprofit early intervention organization and private preschool. Purposive sampling was used to select six children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and six without ASD around the age of 40-63 months, and the course arrangement was a 40-minute class each week for 14 weeks. This study demonstrated that the MSMAs teaching method could improve children’s learning habits and performance without ASD. In addition, the intervention of HMEAYC teaching method can improve the academic behavior of both children with ASD, and without ASD, especially for children with ASD; it has more significant benefits on learning habits. In addition, through HMEAYC’s music therapy courses, children’s communication, emotional and social performance can also be improved.