Tele-Music Therapy for Children with Autism

What this study is about?

Low accessibility and lack of resources are primary barriers for children in rural areas to receive music therapy services. This project uses real-time video-conferencing platforms to provide cost effective music therapy to serve children with autism.

Inclusion Criteria:

Each participant (ages 8-17) must have a parent identified educational label of ASD; have access to a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet that has a built-in or external camera, speaker, and microphone; have access to a stable internet connection; and a helper who can be present at each session who speaks English.

Exclusion Criteria:

Parents or guardians who are not willing to navigate technologies regarding Zoom video conferencing with the instructions provided; who are not able to read or communicate in English; children/youth who cannot stay in the room of session or remain seated for 5 minutes; or online setting triggers distress of children/youth.

Time Commitment

• 8 weeks of online music therapy sessions.

• Once a week, 30-minute/week.

• Remain in the study for 16 weeks.

Research Compensation

• Each child participant will receive eight 30-minute telemusic therapy sessions free of charge.

• A total of $25 Amazon gift card.

If you’re unsure if you meet the requirements, please call or email a member of the study team:

• Yue Wu, M.M., MT-BC, PhD Candidate

• Principle Investigator

• wu000150@umn.edu

• (970) 980-4720