The development and design of the Musical Functional Assessment Profile (MFAP) in autism

Abstract

The Musical Functional Assessment Profile (MFAP) in autism has been developed as a specific music therapy observational assessment tool to provide qualitative and descriptive information about the functionality of the child on the autism spectrum. It allows for assessing seven developmental functions: social interaction, communication and language, flexibility and anticipation, symbolisation, memory functions, motor functions and sensory functions. The MFAP tries to value the strengths, challenges, difficulties, and supports provided, considering current autism diagnostic criteria and treatment issues viewed from the perspective of neurodiversity. It may also allow the delineation of music therapy treatment goals and intervention planning related to a person-centred and a strength-based approach. The development and design of the tool is presented, and its practical advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Further research studies are required to determine the precise scope and accuracy of this tool; future directions are established for its validity and reliability process.