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Music therapy on interactive surfaces to improve sensorimotor problems of children with autism
Cibrian F. ACM SIGACCESS Accessibility and Computing(114):20-24,2016.Type:Article
Date Reviewed: Jul 13 2016

Children with autism have difficulties with eye-hand coordination (visual-motor coordination) and rhythmic coordination of perception and action (sensorimotor synchronization) [1]. Music therapy is one of the most popular methods for helping children with autism to improve these skills.

This very interesting paper shows the positive, promising clinical results of the use of a bendable interactive surface prototype during music therapy sessions to support sensorimotor synchronization. A bendable interactive surface offers a natural and casual interaction, providing visual and auditory feedback that helps increase the child’s attention and concentration. This surface is called BendableSound and uses the Kinect sensor to detect when users tap or touch the surface made from fabric.

In the literature, it is documented that practitioners have been using very popular music through general rhythm games Guitar Hero [2] and Rock Band [3] in their sessions. Also, tablets and interactive tables with applications like Reactable [4] have been used to support children with autism.

However, there is a need for interactive educational applications and games that should be developed based on music therapy protocols [5]. Thus, several initiatives have started [6]. Also, apart from Kinect motion sensors, NAO robots have been used in therapy [7]. It is certain that new innovative and fascinating learning applications will appear, which will be designed according to the principles of music therapy for empowering children with autism to improve their skills.

Reviewer:  Symeon Retalis Review #: CR144574 (1701-0077)
1) Miller, M.; Chukoskie, L.; Townsend, J.; Trauner, D. Dyspraxia, motor function and visual-motor integration in autism. Behavioural Brain Research 269, (2014), 95–102.
2) Guitar Hero game, https://www.guitarhero.com (06/30/2016).
3) Rock Band game, http://www.rockband4.com/ (06/30/2016).
4) Reactable, http://reactable.com (06/30/2016).
5) Parés, N.; Carreras, A.; Durany, J.; Ferrer, J.; Freixa, P.; Gómez, D.; Kruglanski, O.; Parés, R.; Ribas, J. I. Promotion of creative activity in children with severe autism through visuals in an interactive multisensory environment. In Proc. of IDC '05. ACM, New York, NY, 2005, 110–116.
6) James, R.; Sigafoos, J.; Green, V. A.; Lancioni, G. E.; O’Reilly, M. F.; Lang, R.; Davis, T.; Carnett, A.; Achmadi, D., et. al. Music therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2, 1(2014), 39–54.
7) Beer, J. M.; Boren, M.; Liles, K. R. Robot assisted music therapy: a case study with children diagnosed with autism. In Proc. of HRI '16. IEEE Press, Piscataway, NJ, 2016, 419–420.
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