Evaluation of a Developmentally-Based Music Therapy Tool for Children with Autism

The purpose of this study was to gather sufficient data to determine the statistical reliability of the scores obtained with a new music therapy assessment tool for children with autistic disorder: the Autism Developmental Skillset Assessment (ADSA). Participants included one child with autistic disorder (N = 1, male, age 3) and board certified music therapists (N = 4). Five children enrolled in this study, however, there was a participant attrition rate of 80%. The study was composed of three steps. First, the child with autism was videotaped during one individual music therapy session. Second, video clips from the session were selected and edited. Finally, music therapists utilized these video clips to complete the ADSA and select a primary and secondary goal for the assessed child. The inter-rater reliability of primary goal selection using the ADSA was .50 (N = 4). The inter-rater reliability of secondary goal selection was .50 (N = 4). The overall reliability of the resulting ADSA scores was evaluated using generalizability theory (G-theory) statistical analysis with a fully crossed, single-facet, mixed design (r X i). The g coefficient for the ADSA tool for absolute measurement was 1.00, which surpassed the conventionally accepted reliability value of .80.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Music (UMKC)

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Missouri--Kansas City

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Reschke-Hernandez, Alaine Elizabeth

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Hanson-Abromeit, Deanna

• Generalizability theory
• Intervention reporting

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10355/9612

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/9612