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Daudt_Alyssa_20023.39 MB
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Thesis
Children with Down syndrome and music: a parental description of their experience in music
Master of Arts (M.A.), Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
May 2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-1093
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the experience in music of children with Down Syndrome by use of a descriptive parental survey. The researcher constructed a survey, which had sections including both Likert-type scale ratings as well as open-ended questions. Subjects were found through The Arc, which is an advocacy group for people with mental retardation (including Down Syndrome.) The survey was mailed to 102 parents of children with Down Syndrome in a specific county in a northeastern state. A total of 35 surveys were received, 34 of which were included in data summaries. Items on the survey were divided into categories: Demographics, Quality of Life, Personal Organization, and Socialization. Results show that parents think that music enhances their child's quality of life, that it helps with self-organization, and that it fosters social interactions. Parents seem very positive about music and their children. Many significant correlations were found, particularly involving the learning of songs and other information through the use of music, which supports the literature. Many of the parents' responses show that there are aspects of the musical responses of children with Down Syndrome that are congruent with that of a typical child. Several parents commented that their children's responses to a musical environment are no different than the responses of "normal" children. Implications of this data include: mainstreaming in music classes is particularly useful both for learning purposes and for social interactions; music and musical activities may increase or help serve to maintain self-esteem; music may be an optimal way of reaching children with Down Syndrome, since it appears that their musical behaviors and responses are not as affected by their disability as other areas of their lives. The data collected may help special educators, parents, and music therapists to use music more effectively with this population. Since specific information about children with Down Syndrome and music is very limited, this study opened a wide area for others to conduct further, more specified research.
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Details
- Title
- Children with Down syndrome and music
- Creators
- Alyssa Daudt - DH
- Contributors
- Paul Nolan (Advisor) - DH
- Awarding Institution
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts in Therapy [Historical]; Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002); College of Nursing and Health Professions (2000-2002)
- Other Identifier
- 1093; 991014632335804721