Pre- and Post- test scores were used to compare the effects of the use of a music
therapy approach versus a traditional approach to learning and looked specifically at
communication and communicative intent in five children with a diagnosis of severe
autism. The communication intent recorded included: eye-contact, non-verbal
gestures and communication, and verbal output. All students showed an increase in
communication in these three areas during the music therapy sessions. Not all skills
were sustained after the music therapy sessions ended.