Elucidating Japanese community engagement with Malaysian traditional music therapy approach for special needs children

• Main Authors: Ahmad, Noorlila, Abu Bakar, Aby Yazid
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Allied Business Academies 2021
• Subjects: BF501 Motivation; BF636 Applied psychology; BF698 Personality; BF712 Developmental psychology
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/93245/7/93245_Elucidating%20Japanese%20community%20engagement_SCOPUS.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/93245/8/93245_Elucidating%20Japanese%20community%20engagement.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/93245/; https://www.abacademies.org/articles/elucidating-japanese-community-engagement-with-malaysian-traditional-music-therapy-approach-for-special-needs-children.pdf

This paper proposes an intervention therapy that uses the unique methods of Malay traditional performance, which relates the dances and songs of ‘Dikir Barat’ and ‘Kuda Kepang;. The therapy will assist in the socialization of special needs children and work upon their audience perception skills. This study utilized a quantitative method facilitated by a survey questionnaire that was distributed to an audience during a special concert that included children with special needs and other students. The 20-items survey of 5-point Likert Scale was descriptively analyzed for each item’s percentage. Consequently, it has been determined that performances which particularly embrace the arts of music, singing, dancing and acting have a great influence and impact on groups with special needs. This research contributes to the literature by illustrating how traditional music therapy can stimulate special needs children to improve their active engagement in their own lives and that of their community.