Dissertation
Experiences of autistic clients in Nordoff-Robbins music therapy: an interpretive phenomenological analysis
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Sep 2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000882
Abstract
Research in music therapy and autistic people to date has predominantly focused on communication and social interaction outcomes. No research exists that seeks to understand participant perspectives regarding their experiences of music therapy and the goals they want to pursue. Therefore, this interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) sought to explore the lived experiences of young autistic adults in Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy (NRMT). Four autistic young adult men who had received at least 6 months of music therapy services at the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy participated in this study. Each participant engaged in four to five interview sessions to share their experiences of NRMT and the role NRMT plays in their life. Interviews were analyzed using the IPA method. A summary of the results was shared with each participant to ensure sensitivity to and accuracy of their lived experiences. Three themes emerged from the analysis: 1) Participants attend NRMT to develop their musicianship and personal selves; 2) participants create meaningful relationships with their peers, music therapists, and music; and 3) participants bring their sociocultural identities into music therapy sessions. These findings offer new considerations in understanding of how NRMT clients identify their musical selves and why they attend music therapy sessions.
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Details
- Title
- Experiences of autistic clients in Nordoff-Robbins music therapy
- Creators
- Ming Yuan Low
- Contributors
- Joke Bradt (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xii, 124 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991015606366304721