Looking at the Big Picture: Caregivers’ and Relatives’ Life-worlds on the Contribution of a Combined Dance/Movement and Music Therapy Intervention for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Abstract

Following our quantitative investigation of an intervention based on the combination of Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) and Music Therapy (MT) with adults diagnosed with severe Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), we aim to expand our knowledge on the impact of this intervention. For this reason, we have drawn upon transcendental phenomenology to explore the life-worlds of the relatives and caregivers of clients at the care centre for adults with severe ASD where the intervention took place. Relevant results include the new, awakened interest towards this therapy combination among the caregivers and the relatives, the perceived in-session and off-session improvements in the adults with ASD (regarding aspects such as concentration, relaxation, body awareness, daily satisfaction, and happiness), the areas deemed non-affected (such as showing frustration and the clients with ASD’ social interactions) and insights on the duration of the effects of this intervention on adults with ASD. In the discussion, we contrast our results with those of previous studies on MT and DMT and highlight the need for further research on this therapy combination with autistic adults.