Teaching Music to Students with Autism

Teaching Music to Students with Autism is a comprehensive practical guide for music educators who work with students with autism. Authors and veteran music educators Alice M. Hammel and Ryan M. Hourigan offer an approach centred in inclusion designed for music educators, music teacher educators, and all those who have an interest in the education of students with autism.

In this second edition, the authors offer fully up-to-date information on the diagnosis of autism, advocating for students and music programs, and creating and maintaining a team-approach when working with colleagues. A significant portion of the book is focused on understanding the communication, cognition, behaviour, sensory, and socialisation challenges inherent in students with autism and ways to structure classroom experiences and learning opportunities for all students.

A chapter of classroom snapshots (vignettes) written by teachers in the field of music education provides additional opportunities to transfer information to 'real life' situations.

Finally, the book offers a chapter of print and web resources for further study.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Chapter 2: A Team Approach to Teaching Music to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Chapter 3: Understanding Communication and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Chapter 4: Understanding Cognition and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Chapter 5: Classroom Behavior and Students with Autism

Chapter 6: Understanding the Socialization of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Chapter 7: Autism, Sensory Dysfunction, and Music Education

Chapter 8: Advocacy for Students with Autism in Music Education

Chapter 9: Classroom and Ensemble Snapshots of Teaching Music to Students with Autism

Chapter 10: Music Teacher Education and Students with Autism

Chapter 11: Resources for Music Teachers, Rachel Grimsby, PhD

Index

"Teaching Music to Students with Autism provides an invaluable resource for music educators at both elementary and secondary levels. The practical suggestions, realistic situations, and sensitive, well-informed explanations presented in the book not only inform us to become more effective teachers but inspire us to become more compassionate ones."
- Joy Anderson, Assistant Director, Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir and Elementary Music Teacher, Eastern Mennonite School, Harrisonburg, VA

"Following on the heels of their eminently useful Teaching Music to Students with Special Needs: A Label-Free Approach, Hammel and Hourigan have once again provided music educators with an invaluable resource for attempting to meet the educational and musical needs of students who are on the autism spectrum."
- Janice Smith, Associate Professor of Music Education, Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, City University of New York

"A helpful support for those needing encouragement and a general resource for those wishing to communicate more effectively with parents, colleagues, and administration in order to help students attain an optimal learning environment... Recommended."
- Choice