Gesto, musica, interazione sociale: sviluppo delle capacità interattive nei soggetti con disturbi dello spettro autistico

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) subjects are affected by extended difficulties in relationship and social interaction. The aim of this paper talk is to show the possibility to improve relational skills in ASD subjects through the use of gesture and motor acts in musical production in individual and group session of music therapy. In particular, we will consider improvisational music therapy, which uses music, musical instruments and sounds to facilitates communicative and social interaction processes. The imitation skills in ASD are often preserved but have to improve to actually help in social play and interaction. The use of imitated and shared gesture in the production of improvisation and spontaneous music, first with the music-therapist and then with peers, can provide an easy option to engage in interaction, play and communicate emotional behaviors to each others. The use of music gesture in sound production facilitates communication skills like turn-taking, eyes contact, joint attention, imitation skills towards use of symbolic gesture; all fundamental requirements to communication and relationship that ASD children and adults have to learn or improve. The same activity also allows to improve the understanding of intentionality underlying the behaviors of others, then regulate emotions and behavior, as well as promoting motivation to social contact. The research measured with an observation form the social functions, one year of Music Therapy group’s treatment of six subjects with high functioning, that were shared in two groups.