Music therapy is a relatively new therapy. Music has long been considered a brain stimulant. Studies have even shown that students in music classes and educational programs perform significantly better on standardized tests and in many aspects of academia. This is why music has been used in healthcare for the past 60 years. Music therapy is a growing trend to help heal children with autism. With all the medications available to combat autism, parents need to know that there are alternatives and combinations that can better help their child. Music therapy originated in hospitals treating veterans of World War II. Doctors and hospital staff realized that musicians needed training to interact with patients. Originally, they simply played music in hospitals around patients and had no training other than their musical training. These accomplishments led to the creation of the first graduate degree program in music therapy at Michigan State University (Cutting Edge Therapies p 242-247). Different places, from children to Alzheimer's patients, use music therapy (AMTA). According to the American Music Therapy Association, “music therapy interventions may be designed to: Promote well-being, manage stress, relieve pain, express feelings, improve memory, improve communication, and promote physical rehabilitation.” All types of people, including people without health problems, benefit from therapy, and therapy can incorporate all types of music. A New Jersey newspaper article even states that music therapy can be used for everything from birth to adulthood. The AMTA states that "music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of musical interventions to achieve...... middle of article ......nal of autism and developmental disorders development 38.9 (2008): 1758-1766. ERIC. EBSCO.Web. April 6, 2011. “Music Therapy Association of BC: How does music therapy work?” » Music Therapy Association of BC: Welcome to the Music Therapy Association of BC! Internet. April 7, 2011. “Using the language of music.” Internet. April 7, 2011. Siri, Ken and Tony Lyons. Cutting-edge therapies for autism, 2010-2011. New York, NY: Skyhorse Pub., 2010. Print. Wakefield, Andrew J. Callous Disregard: Autism and vaccines - the truth behind a tragedy. New York: Skyhorse Pub., 2010. Print. The American Music Therapy Association. Internet. March-Apr. 2011. Wigram, T and C Gold. “Music therapy in the assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorders: clinical application and research evidence.” Child: care, health and development 32.5 (2006): 535-542.MEDLINE. EBSCO.Web. April 6 2011.