Music Therapy as a Behavior Modification for Students with Severe Behavior

Abstract

Current research shows the effects of music are varied. Research also suggests that music therapy for students with disabilities is varied. This study investigated the effects of the music therapy technique of listening that was applied to classrooms for students who display severe behavior. This music therapy intervention was administered by the classroom special education teachers for 30 minutes during academic class time. The data were also collected by the teachers working in the classroom. Data were collected using teacher completed behavior rubrics which rated the level of student behavior before and during the intervention phase. Teachers collected data for each student at a set time, observing the student for two minutes during music therapy. Results indicated there were statistically significant differences in the levels of intensity, duration, and frequency of certain behaviors.