• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.41-64
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a structured music therapy protocol that incorporates Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to enhance communicative behaviors in children with severe and profound autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The developed protocol consists of four stages: optimizing attention and arousal levels, familiarizing with target vocabulary, acquiring target vocabulary through AAC, and applying communicative skills in everyday contexts. In the first stage, music serves as a multisensory medium to enhance attention and arousal, fostering motivation for communication in children with ASD. The second stage introduces target vocabulary through musical elements to facilitate familiarization with the words and support language processing. The third stage involves the use of AAC devices during music-based activities, encouraging children to express their preferences and communicate effectively. The final stage focuses on generalizing communicative skills by applying target vocabulary in real-life situations. The protocol was validated by professionals in music therapy and speech-language therapy. Its clinical applicability was further confirmed through implementation with children with ASD by music therapists who had no prior experience using AAC. The findings suggest that this protocol effectively improves communication in children with severe and profound ASD and provide therapists with practical and evidence-based strategies.