Fourteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

This paper focuses on world music as a catalyst for supporting people with various disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder. World music listening and performance can act as a “safe space” where social interaction and dynamic thinking, two core challenges for people on the autism spectrum, can be encouraged and developed. The presentation highlights key principles associated with Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), a program developed by Steven Gutstein, Ph.D., with regards to issues of static versus dynamic thinking that can be applied to music and other arts contexts. Several other core areas of challenge, namely social referencing, co-regulatory interactions, flexible thinking, and episodic memory are also discussed along with several guiding strategies that will give attendees some practical means of improving competency in these areas through the arts.