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In Music and Autism: Speaking for Ourselves, renowned ethnomusicologist Michael Bakan engages in deep conversations-some spanning the course of years-with ten unique and fascinating individuals who share two basic things in common: an autism spectrum diagnosis and a life in which music is central. The result is a profound yet accessible exploration of how people make and experience music, and of why it matters to them that they do, one whose rich tapestry of words, images, and musical sounds speaks to both the extraordinary diversity of autistic experience and the common humanity we all share.
This book investigates the intersection of autism spectrum conditions and musical engagement to understand how music functions as a vital medium for expression and identity. The author, ethnomusicologist Michael Bakan, utilizes a qualitative research framework based on longitudinal interviews with ten autistic individuals. By documenting their personal experiences, the text challenges clinical stereotypes and highlights the diverse ways in which music serves as a bridge between internal cognitive landscapes and external social environments.
What You Will Find
Experts in the field of music therapy and disability studies recognize this work for its shift toward participant-centered narratives rather than purely clinical observation. Readers frequently note the accessibility of the prose, which balances academic rigor with the personal voices of the contributors.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
2020-10-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
019754312X
ISBN-13:
9780197543122
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