Music Therapy as a Tool to Unveil Musical Potential or Hidden Savant in Children with Autism: A Case Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Savant syndrome is a perplexing condition characterized by the exceptional abilities or talents of individuals with disabilities or low IQ. Methods: This study shows an individual case of a child with autism, detailing how music therapy may facilitate the discovery of musical abilities and how it can improve different areas of development, e.g., motor function, communication, social skills, and emotional expression. Results: The 17-year-old male (KH), diagnosed at the age of three with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and having moderate abilities, exhibited no interest in music until the initiation of a music therapy program at the age of 11 years. KH consistently has repeated movements which impede his advancement in various tasks. This observation prompted the occupational therapist to purposefully incorporate this movement into piano training and recommend the initiation of music therapy sessions. He subsequently began utilizing the piano and demonstrated an extraordinary aptitude for musical note interpretation and creation. Conclusions: Occupational therapy may contribute to revealing hidden savant syndrome in children with ASD. Prolonged musical training has multiple impacts on motor functioning and multi-sensory perception, and it may also elicit favorable behavioral modifications in children with autism.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; music therapy; musical talent; savant syndrome.

Figure 1

General psycho-social and cognitive outcomes of a child with ASD after six months of music therapy.

Figure 2

Summary of the music therapy’s progress for this case.