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Troy Lowndes

Diagnostic Assistance Tool for Neurodivergent Traits Using Music Preferences

Proto Type Tool - Overview



This tool is designed to help clinicians gain insights into neurodivergent traits by exploring a patient’s music preferences. It serves as a supplementary resource to understand a patient’s sensory preferences, emotional processing, and cognitive patterns, which are often associated with neurodivergence, such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and related conditions.



1. Introduction and Purpose


  • Explain to the patient that this tool is a way to learn more about their unique preferences and processing styles through music. It’s not a test, but rather a way to get to know them better.


  • Highlight how music can provide insights into sensory preferences, emotional responses, and cognitive patterns related to neurodivergence.

2. Exploring Music Preferences

Question 1: "What type of music do you enjoy the most? Can you name a few of your favourite genres or artists?"

Purpose: To understand sensory preferences (e.g., calm vs. energetic music), which might indicate sensory sensitivities or seeking behaviours common in neurodivergent individuals.

Follow-up: "What is it about this music that appeals to you? Is it the rhythm, melody, lyrics, or something else?"

Purpose: To explore further sensory preferences and emotional connections to music.

3. Lyric Analysis and Emotional Processing

Question 2: “Do you pay attention to the lyrics of songs? Can you share a song where the lyrics really stood out to you? Why?”

Purpose: To understand how the patient processes language and emotions. For instance, someone on the autism spectrum might focus more on rhythm and melody rather than lyrics, or interpret lyrics in a literal or unique way.

Follow-up: “Do the lyrics make you feel a certain way? Do they remind you of any personal experiences?”

Purpose: To gauge emotional empathy, resonance with personal experiences, or alexithymia (difficulty identifying and describing emotions).

4. Music and Sensory Experience

Question 3: “How do you feel when you listen to music? Does it affect your mood or energy levels? Do you ever use music to help you focus or calm down?”

Purpose: To identify sensory modulation strategies and emotional regulation techniques. This can help understand if the patient uses music as a tool for self-regulation, which is common in neurodivergent individuals.


5. Social and Contextual Understanding

Question 4: “Do you enjoy sharing music with others, or do you prefer to keep your musical experiences private? How do you feel when someone else plays music that you don’t like?”

Purpose: To explore social communication, tolerance of sensory input from others, and how the patient navigates social situations involving shared sensory experiences.


6. Pattern Recognition and Routine

Question 5: “Do you have any music routines, like listening to the same song on repeat or needing a specific playlist for certain activities?”

Purpose: To identify repetitive behaviours, need for routine, and the use of music as a stabilising element, which can be indicative of neurodivergent traits.


Implementation Notes


Tailoring the Tool

Clinicians should adapt the questions based on the patient’s age, cultural background, and known preferences. The aim is to create a relaxed environment where the patient feels comfortable sharing.

Data Collection and Analysis

Record responses to identify patterns or traits associated with neurodivergence. For example, if a patient consistently uses music to block out external stimuli, this might suggest sensory sensitivities typical in ASD or ADHD.


Integration with Other Diagnostic Tools

This music-based tool should be used alongside traditional diagnostic assessments (like questionnaires and structured interviews) to provide a comprehensive picture of the patient’s neurodivergent traits.


Ethical Considerations

Ensure informed consent is obtained, and patients understand that this tool is just one part of the diagnostic process.


Conclusion

Using music-based questions, clinicians can gain valuable insights into a patient’s sensory preferences, emotional processing, and social understanding, all of which are crucial in diagnosing neurodivergent conditions. This approach also allows for a more engaging and less clinical conversation, which can be particularly helpful for patients who may find traditional diagnostic methods stressful or limiting.

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