Music Therapy and Autism

As previously mentioned, this year, I am working in a Life Skills classroom where there are an unusually high number of students on the autism spectrum (including a statistically higher than average number of girls). I've noticed that many (although not all) of my students enjoy listening to music. We use music in the classroom in a variety of contexts--mostly therapeutic (to reduce anxiety/promote relaxation: we have daily yoga and a post-lunch relaxation routine). For some students though, like Bob*, music is also a motivator.

Today I found a really interesting article on the use of Music Therapy: Autism Spectrum Disorders: Music Therapy and Autism.