Where words and music meet: supporting those with communication difficulties - Collaborative work by Mariko Udo and Miyuki Takano -

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Previous Research

Mariko Udo and Miyuki Takano have been collaborative research partners primarily within the framework of the JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) for the past10 years. The following is a history of specific research projects by the two researchers.

2006 Hakuho Research Grant for Child Education

Grant No.: 06-B-0028 (grant period FY 2007)
Principal Investigator: Mariko Udo
Co-researcher: Miyuki Takano
Research Title: Promoting Expressions of Intellectually Disabled Children Through Onomatopoeia

The relationship between body movements and speech sounds was examined by observing intellectually disabled children participating in conversation using onomatopoeic expressions at school, during leisure activities and music therapy sessions (improvisational music performances).

2008-2010 JSPS Research Number: 20520357

Research Theme:
“Creating a supportive environment that encourages communication in children with disabilities”
Principal Investigator: Mariko Udo
Co-researcher: Miyuki Takano

A qualitative analysis was used to explore the relevance of expressiveness and body movement and speech characteristics in children with special needs. Data consisted of conversations and expressions characterized as having frequent use of onomatopoeia, as well as body movement (gestures) which were isolated from video material that was recorded during classroom observations of special needs schools in Japan and Korea.

2009-2011 JSPS Research Number: 21610012

Research Theme:
“Emphasizing Characteristics of Communicative Environments that Support Children with Disabilities”
Principal Investigator: Miyuki Takano
Co-researcher: Mariko Udo

Various educational acts that are compatible with educational effects and seemingly activated by onomatopoeic utterances were categorized.

2011- 2013 JSPS Research Number: 23520462

Research Theme:
“Toward Using Onomatopoeia as a Means of Expression in Situations When Communication is Difficult”
Principal Investigator: Mariko Udo
Co-researcher: Miyuki Takano

How bodily movements and phonological characteristics are reflected and conflated into onomatopoeia was investigated through observation of musical therapy sessions in classrooms at special needs schools. Inspired by the research, a DVD for special needs children utilizing onomatopoeia was produced.

2012 – 2014 JSPS Research Number: 24531245

Research Theme:
“Supporting the Participation of Children with Multiple Disabilities in Mutual Communication”
Principal Investigator: Miyuki Takano
Co-researcher: Mariko Udo