Although the Music Gym wasn’t intended for any specific condition or type of person it has, however, proved to be very beneficial for those with autistic spectrum disorders.
This may be because the facilitators and advisors, all professional musicians, came to the Music Gym from projects for children with autism where the music was incidental and the main aim was to engage the child.
The two projects were the pan-European MEDIATE project involving Portsmouth University and the Magic Train project, run by Decoda in conjunction with Torfield School in Hastings. MEDIATE - a Multisensory Environment Design for an Interface between Autistic and Typical Expressiveness - created an intelligent multisensory environment that would react to each unique user. The Magic Train, working on a much much smaller scale, aimed to use motion sensing and switch technology to engage children with a broad range of special needs who resisted all attempts to engage them in conventional music-making activities.
MEDIATE created a dedicated space comprising touch sensitive display screens, interactive sensory walls and an interactive floor. The crucial aspect was the built-in intelligence in the sense that a repetitive action would eventually not elicit the required response. The Magic Train meanwhile took a large space and converted it for a weekly session into “zones” such as the haunted house, or the woodland, which children could explore at their own pace.
Despite their differences in scale, the outcomes of the two projects were very similar. When it came to specific outcomes for the children, MEDIATE’s aims included
- to reduce stress and anxiety/alleviate depression
- to give a voice to people with an autistic spectrum disorder and enable dialogue (in non-verbal ways)
- to promote creativity in all users and to enable people on the autistic spectrum to have physical control
- to be fun
- to promote an increased sense of wellbeing
- to increase the understanding and communication between the neuro-typical and autistic world.
The parents and carers of the users confirmed how these aims had been met for their children. Some suggested that it was the only time the child had experienced the freedom to make choices, led by their own feelings. This also highlighted the importance of the child’s “voice” being heard and validated by the environments. They stressed the importance of the child being able to explore, as well as control, their environment. They all felt that their children had benefited from the experience and that they benefited more the more time they spent there.
At the Magic Train the facilitators, one of whom was the music teacher at Torfield School, found that the children benefited from the opportunities to explore, to watch, to take their time and to make choices. The zones, linked to the technology that was used, encouraged creative and imaginative play. This in turn enabled communication and interaction between children and between children and adults in a positive manner. Many parents of the children involved fed back positive comments about its motivating influence.
In addition to their achievements what the projects had in common was FUN - for all involved and we’ve carried this forward to the Music Gym. Whatever the reasons for its benefits, the Music Gym has become a valuable resource for both children and adults with autistic spectrum disorders in East Sussex and Kent.
There are literally millions of references to autism on the net and we’ve pulled out some of the more helpful websites to help those seeking more information.
Autism resources for teachers
We’re updating this list all the time. If there’s a facility or link you’d like us to include please contact us.
Autism resources for parents
We’re updating this list all the time. If there’s a facility or link you’d like us to include please contact us
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