What if sharing music as a language is the key to meeting halfway? Absolute pitch, pitch discrimination and Autism Spectrum Disorder
V. 172 N. 6 (2021), Systematic review
V. 172 N. 6 (2021)

What if sharing music as a language is the key to meeting halfway? Absolute pitch, pitch discrimination and Autism Spectrum Disorder : doi: 10.7417/CT.2021.2381

Systematic review
Pubblicato 2021-11-25
M. Romani
Child Neuropychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
M. Martucci
Child Neuropychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
M. Castellano Visaggi
Child Neuropychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
F. Prono
Child Neuropychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
D. Valente
Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
C. Sogos
Child Neuropychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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Parole chiave

absolute pitch
music
language
autism

Abstract

Background: This review investigates the association between absolute pitch and enhanced pitch discrimination in autism. Absolute pitch is the ability to identify a given note in the absence of a reference note. The prevalence of absolute pitch in autism is between 5% and 11% and autism involves notably enhanced abilities in pitch discrimination.

Methods : Systematic electronic database searches were conducted using Pubmed, Scopus, Psycinfo, and Web of Science. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was followed, and, after thorough screening by two independent reviewers, 17 articles remained eligible for inclusion in this study.

Results:  Results suggest an increased prevalence of absolute pitch and pitch discrimination in autistic individuals.

Conclusion:  Based on this evidence, future perspectives could include studies aiming to detect absolute pitch at an early age and to use this special skill to stimulate joint attention, as well as socio-communicative skills.

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