Drumming Stops Violence In Special Needs Children, by Karen Thomas, CST, CMT

In the study done in SURREY, ENGLAND/MONTVILLE, N.J. (August 27, 2014) – Drumming can help children with autism spectrum disorders and O.D.D. to stop violent behavior, self-mutilation, and assist with developing cognitive functioning, social skill interaction, and grade point average, according to the research team at the Woodland Grange School in Surrey England, and the non-profit research organization Drums and Disabilities, (D.A.D.) in Montville, NJ.

For people with autism and cognitive disabilities, the synapses in the brain ineffectively communicate with each other. Playing repeated patterns of music can re-train these synapses, and can help these people re-establish the correct synapse pathways. The study was conducted by David Ciauro (EdS, MA, LAC), and Pat Gesualdo, Senior Research Director for D.A.D. Christopher Topple, and Colin Jenkinson, Head Teacher for the Woodland Grange School.

Playing repeated patterns of music rhythms which the researchers called “Drum Therapy,” helped the study participants to re-train the synapses in the brain, and develop physical and cognitive functioning.

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