Hilary Davies, PhD researcher – “Consulting The Autistic Community about Music Therapy: An Online Survey”
As part of this preesnter’s PhD research, she conducted an online survey to gather the opinions, thoughts and feelings of Autistic adults about music therapy practice. The survey was open to all English-speaking Autistic people, whether they had received music therapy previously or not, as well as Autistic music therapists.
Although music therapists often work with Autistic people, most of the published literature refers to work with Autistic children, rather than adults, and very little music therapy literature has included the voices of Autistic adults themselves. This presenter’s research seeks to centre and value the lived experience perspectives of Autistic people, from her own perspective as an Autistic music therapist and researcher.
In this presentation, she will explore some of the ideas which emerged from the survey, and how these ideas could contribute towards creating a more accessible and effective form of music therapy practice with Autistic people.
Biography
Hilary is currently studying for a PhD at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, looking at neurodiversity-paradigm informed music therapy with autistic people. She also works as a music therapist in private practice with autistic adults, and as a guest lecturer at several universities.