The effects of music on the academic success and socialization process of individuals with autism: IZOT İzmir Autism Orchestra and Choir case study

The aim of this study is to reveal the importance of taking part in a music group in enabling individuals with autism to develop their musical talents and continue their education in the field of music. İZOT (İzmir Autism Orchestra and Chorus), which makes a significant contribution to the socialization of individuals with autism through music, was founded in 2013 by Dr. Instructor It was founded by its member Orçun Berrakçay and started working with four individuals with autism, and today it has reached an average of 45 participants. This formation is a first in Turkey. İZOT; It contributes to the socialization processes of individuals with autism through music. Being a member of a group, performing music together, taking part in concert events held in İzmir and in different cities supports the development of this process. Socialization is the interaction of individuals with other members of the society they live in and their adaptation to the social environment. It starts in the family and matures with the education process. The individual's participation in a group of friends outside the educational environment contributes to this process. Today, with the influence of mass media and social media, the concept of socialization has expanded and started to take place through the virtual environment. Although a spontaneous process is observed in the lives of individuals with normal development, the difficulty of expressing themselves verbally makes socialization processes difficult for individuals with autism. This situation causes the emergence of problem behaviors and complicates the lives of families who have a child with autism. Studies since 2013 have shown how talented individuals with autism are in the field of music. These choral studies have also made a great contribution to individuals with autism academically. These individuals learned how to act together, to be disciplined and how to stand on stage. Individuals with autism, who are accustomed to receiving one-on-one education, have also learned to work in groups and have gained the skill of socializing with each other and being friends. In the meantime, while the children were working, the families got closer and socialized among themselves, and shared their problems and distanced themselves from the feeling of loneliness. Among the findings of the study are the facts that individuals with autism can achieve significant success by revealing their potential when given the opportunity, and that orchestra-choir studies can direct them to academic musical education. However, the suspension of IZOT's routine activities (rehearsals, concerts, etc.) during the Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected individuals with autism as well as all humanity. This research reveals the effects of rehearsals and online activities in the distance education process with İZOT and İZOT Mini participants, who had to take a break from their face-to-face rehearsals and concerts since March 2020 due to the Covid- 19 pandemic, on the socialization process. The data of the research were obtained by analyzing the data obtained from the semi-fictional interviews made with 7 families, 2 individuals with autism, 8 educators and 1 person, the coordinator of the choir, by observing the online rehearsals held on Monday and Wednesday evenings in an hour and a half on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Keywords: Autism, music, socialization, group work, online rehearsal.