Music Therapy for Autism | Interview with Music Therapist Marlene
Free Workshop
Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums
in Young Children with
Autism &/or Speech Delays
I’ve found a lot of benefits from music therapy in my own practice, but I haven’t seen that same enthusiasm from other behavior analysts. That’s why I was so thrilled to meet Dr. Marlene Sotelo, who is both a music therapist and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level, which makes her the perfect person to discuss music therapy for autism. I wanted to understand the empirically supported data for how music therapy can benefit children with autism.
Dr. Soleto began her career in music therapy. After a nurse friend encouraged her to come work with her son with autism, Dr. Soleto soon found herself with a full caseload of kids with autism. This then led her to a master’s degree in diagnostic teaching, and then a doctorate in education along with a behavior analyst certification. All of her education allowed her to learn the vocabulary and methodology she needed to truly study and understand how music therapy could benefit children with autism and disabilities.
Because rhythm is processed on the left side of the brain, and the melody of music is processed on the right side of the brain, music therapy affects multimodal areas of the brain. When you combine music and physical therapy, the brain has something to hold onto. For children with autism, music therapy can help with gross motor skills, small motor skills, language skills, greetings, appropriate social behavior, and even group responding.
One of the main drawbacks of music therapy is that it is not currently covered by insurance, and many families have to choose between paying for private music therapy or covering many of the co-pays needed for speech or physical therapy. There is some hope that as studies come out and begin to scientifically prove the benefits of music therapy for children with ASD that it will become covered by insurance. This would be an amazing thing that would allow many more children to access musical therapy that can help them reach their full potential
Today’s Guest
Dr. Marlene Sotelo, BCBA-D, MT-BC, is the Els for Autism Foundation Chief Operating Officer at The Els Center of Excellence campus. She has been working with individuals of all ages with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders for over 25 years. Prior to joining the Els for Autism Foundation staff in 2014, Marlene worked for the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities for 12 years. She earned her doctorate in Special Education from Nova Southeastern University and is a certified special education teacher, Board Certified Music Therapist, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
As the Chief Operating Officer, Marlene serves on the board of directors for The Learning Center (ages 3-14) and The Learning Academy (ages 14-21) at The Els Center of Excellence campus in Jupiter, Florida and is the liaison between both public charter schools and the Foundation. In addition, she oversees the operations of the Ernie Els Centre for Autism South Africa and all of the programs and services offered at The Els Center of Excellence campus in Jupiter, Florida. Marlene’s work around the world as an international consultant and speaker, along with the foundation’s mission to serve the global community led to the development of the Global Outreach Autism Learning Services (GOALS) at the Center.
As a music therapist and professional singer, Marlene also spearheaded the development and roll-out of the ‘Reach and Teach through the Arts’ program and continues to provide oversight with the foundation’s Recreation Services Coordinator. She has written and recorded various songs to raise money for organizations caring for children with special needs.
You’ll Learn
- Why people who have suffered from brain trauma are so receptive and responsive to music.
- How physical therapy and music together can help kids with autism improve motor difficulties.
- What we can learn from the surprising benefits of preschool circle time.
- The goals of music therapy and private music lessons are quite different from each other.
- How music therapists need to structure their sessions to better support children with autism.
Resources
- Mary Barbera Workshops (Sign up for a free online workshop for parents and professionals)
- Els for Autism Reach and Teach Through the Arts
- AbrazAutismo | Youtube Singalong in Spanish
- National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice
- AFIRM Modules are designed to help you learn the step-by-step process of planning for using and monitoring and EBP with learners with ASD from birth to 22 years of age.