The effectiveness of music as a stimulus and as a contingent reward in promoting the spontaneous speech of three physically handicapped preschoolers

Author(s): Ballard, Keith D.

Journal/Book: Journal of Music Therapy. 1982; 19: 86-101.

Abstract: Three 3-5 yr old physically handicapped children participated in individual sessions of structured activities in which their verbal responses to specified tasks were observed and recorded. During the intervention phase these tasks were based on music activities. A multiple-baseline across-Ss design was employed, involving the measurement of 4 variables across the 3 Ss: appropriate verbal responses to questions, initiation of verbal interaction, verbalization during story retelling, and on-task behavior. A reversal phase was instituted to compare the progress of the individual Ss under successive baseline and intervention conditions. Results show that increases in verbal responding accompanied the incorporation of music activities into the individual sessions. The effectiveness of employing behavioral observation techniques in music therapy research is discussed. (16 ref)

Note: activity program with music as stimulus & contingent reward; verbal responses & spontaneous speech; physically handicapped 3 5 yr olds

Keyword(s): Verbal communication; music therapy; contingency management; physically handicapped; preschool age children

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