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Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that typically emerges in early childhood, marked by difficulties in communication, social interaction, behaviour, and emotional regulation. Despite these challenges, many children with ASD demonstrate exceptional musical abilities, making music a powerful medium for enhancing self-expression, fostering social bonds, and supporting neurological development crucial for speech and social skills. Historically, minimally verbal children with ASD were often excluded from research due to the difficulty of assessment using standardised tools; however, recent advancements have enabled more inclusive studies. Over the past decade, naturalistic approaches have gained prominence, with music therapy emerging as a particularly promising intervention. A systematic literature review, based on original research sourced from PubMed, Sage, and ScienceDirect, examined six studies involving children aged two to twelve years with minimal verbal abilities and a clinical diagnosis of autism. These studies consistently found that music therapy significantly supports the development of language and social communication skills, while also enhancing fronto-temporal brain connectivity. The review contributes valuable insights into the current state of research, underscores the importance of early intervention and parental involvement, and lays the groundwork for further exploration into the role of music therapy in language development for children with ASD.
Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, children, minimal language abilities, social communication, fronto-temporal brain connectivity, music therapy, non-music therapy
Published in RUP: 28.01.2026; Views: 678; Downloads: 21
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Abstract: This article offers a critical sociological-philosophical-communicological review of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method in the context of the food industry. While LCA has been established as a standardized tool for quantifying environmental impacts, this study analyses it not merely as a technical method but as an epistemological construct that actively shapes societal understanding of sustainability. Drawing on the theory of social construction of reality, situated knowledge, and critical theory, the article explores how methodological choices within LCA (e.g., system boundary definition and indicator selection) are not neutral but reflect specific social and political priorities. The findings reveal that standardized LCA approaches oſten lead to epistemological reductionism by homogenizing complex ecological processes and neglecting local contexts and environmental justice issues. Furthermore, the article examines the instrumentalization of LCA in sustainability communication and green marketing, where quantitative data are frequently used to legitimize existing business models rather than to drive systemic change. The discussion emphasizes the need to transcend instrumental rationality and shiſt toward transdisciplinary and deliberative approaches. The article advocates for integrating Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) and broader Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) frameworks to address sustainability challenges in the food industry more holistically, incorporating social justice and cultural sensitivity.
Keywords: life cycle assessment (LCA), social construction of reality, situated knowledge, sustainability environmental communication, epistemology of ethics, sociology of responsibility
Published in RUP: 10.11.2025; Views: 794; Downloads: 14
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