Abstract
This Final Year Project will look at the effects that music therapy has on autistic individuals. People with
intellectual disability frequently experience communication difficulties and behavioural
issues. This study was carried out with the use of Qualitative Analysis. It involved interviews
with care assistants obtaining their views on music therapy. The study investigates the
different effects that music therapy has on a person. The themes examined were Emotions
expressed by the clients, Communication, Effects and Benefits of Music Therapy. The results
showed that music therapy had a significant effect on the person’s communication, behaviour
and the expression of emotions. It showed that they experienced many emotions ranging from
happiness to shyness to excitement. It also helped them communicate more and helped
compensate for their lack of ability in some areas. Author keywords: Music therapy, intellectual disability, effects, communication