 Music therapy and autism are buzzwords that are being heard often in the news recently. But many people still ask what is music therapy? What is autism? And what is the connection between the two? I am a board-certified music therapist who has worked for seven years with children with various developmental disabilities, including those with autism.   Music therapy is a well-established health care profession that has been around since the 1940s. Music therapy is the systematic use of music and music-based interventions (such as singing, instrument playing, or movement to music) within a therapeutic relationship to accomplish individualized goals. Music therapy goals are non-musical (such as “to increase expressive language” or “to improve gross motor skills”) and may fall under a variety of domains, including: social/emotional, motor/physical, communication, academic/cognitive, or sensory.     Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior.  Children with ASD have difficulties with sensory integration and experience deficits in organizing sensory input. In a typically functioning system, the bombardment of sensory information from the environment is organized into cohesive whole pictures that he brain can process. However, in children with ASD, there is more input than the brain can sort out, leading to a state of sensory disorganization and at times, sensory overload (Berger, 2002).    What is the connection between music therapy and autism? The favorable effects of music for children with autism are due...

Music therapy helps organize sensory input for kids with autism, improving various skills.

Connecting Music Therapy and Autism

 According to the American Music Therapy Association, “Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.”   Phew. That’s a mouthful. Most people realize that music has been used as a therapeutic tool since antiquity, and music therapy addresses physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. Children with ADHD can especially benefit from the calming and social aspects of music therapy.    In music therapy sessions, clients will sing, dance or move, create, or listen to music. For children with ADHD, moving to music can be a way to release energy or become more aware of his body (the latter is especially helpful for those children with ADHD who also have sensory issues). Singing and creating music is an excellent chance for self-expression, and group singing and music-making also helps improve confidence around peers with ADHD or not. Listening to music can help promote relaxation and provide a non-threatening way for a child with ADHD to calm down. All these techniques learned in music therapy sessions can also be applied to other areas of a child’s life.    One common misconception about music therapy is that a child with ADHD or other need must have musical talent or experience. The joy of music therapy is that there is no prior music experience needed, and trained music therapy professionals know how to...

Music therapy can help children with ADHD improve attention, motor control, and self-expression without needing musical talent.

Music Therapy for Children with ADHD

 The American Youth Symphony performed their first of three concerts in the Elfman Project, a series that features the work of beloved film composer Danny Elfman. The audience was a varied group of AYS members, the player’s families, UCLA alum, fellow composers, and Elfman fans.   When asked what most excited them, many concertgoers said one word — “Batman.” One audience member even shouted “yeah!” after the conductor came on stage and also following an impressive violin cadenza. Most of the audience did not understand the shouts were that person’s way of expressing gratitude and love of the music; though he was frequently shushed, these were sounds of enjoyment.    Even looking at the faces of the musicians themselves, the audience could feel that energy and passion for music. To see their dance-like sways during romantic bits change to tense stillness during slow movements and even to intense faces during musical frenzy probably had the rest of the audience shouting “yeah!” inside their own minds.    The AYS puts on free concerts, and even though you must still reserve a ticket to attend, the fact that they are open to the public at no charge is reason that you must go. The AYS features the next up-and-coming musicians, and many of the players attend prestigious schools like Indiana University and Juilliard when they finish their term. The mission of the symphony is to train young musicians for professional careers and to make music events...

The American Youth Symphony celebrated Danny Elfman's music with passionate performances, inviting audiences to free concerts.

Music Appreciation for Every Need

Ten-year-old Cooper is teaching his twin brother to play Hot Cross Buns on the piano. Cooper, who has Down syndrome, has been playing the piano since he was 8 ½ years old. I ask him how his brother is doing. Cooper says: “I showed him how to use three fingers to play Hot Cross Buns. He is doing okay.” There is a proud smile on his face. His mother says: “Cooper has always been the one who holds back with his brother in the lead, but now he is the leader, and it is so nice to see the confidence building that has occurred.”  Cooper is now learning to read notes, and we need a way to reinforce the skills he already has. What better way to do that, than to teach your skills to another person? Cooper and I have learned how to develop “piano skills and strengths” together. He has been challenged with small motor skills, able at first to only differentiate and move his thumb and index fingers independently. Today Cooper warms up with wrist exercises, finger naming and wiggling, and playing favorite songs on the piano. He loves experimenting and exploring new sounds on the digital piano. In the last few months he has started playing with his left hand pinky–the finger that up until recently did not move at all.  Along with developing physical abilities and dexterity, the potential for many other positive results from learning music and how to play the piano...

Cooper, a 10-year-old with Down syndrome, teaches piano to his twin and grows in confidence, showcasing music's broad brain benefits.

Music &#038; Special Needs: Cooper Plays the Piano

 I hadn’t written a single song in my life when I decided to become a music therapist, nor did I have plans to do so. But plans change, especially when I started working with children who were diagnosed with autism.    I learned very quickly that one song does NOT fit all when it comes to meeting the needs of my students, which is why I started composing simple, goal-based songs to use in music therapy sessions.    Before I knew it, I had amassed an entire collection of songs (which I eventually named Listen & Learn Music) covering just about every topic imaginable — including learning colors, making eye contact, self-care skills, and language. I was anything BUT a songwriting expert; however, if you do something enough, you’re bound to find an approach that works.    My songs all have one thing in common: they’re based on an actual goal or objective. Whether it is an individual goal from a student’s IEP or a classroom objective set by a teacher, each song is written with a specific outcome in mind.   Then the fun begins. I always start with the lyrics so that I’m sure to include all the necessary information for addressing the goal or objective. I use clear, basic language and LOTS of repetition. My students thrive on repetition; it makes the song (and therefore, the information) easier to learn and remember.    There’s no real science...

Music therapist composes simple, repetitive songs tailored to individual goals to help children with autism learn and develop skills.

Songwriting for Children with Autism

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Special Needs
Articles

Connecting Music Therapy and Autism

Music Therapy for Children with ADHD

Music Appreciation for Every Need

Music & Special Needs: Cooper Plays the Piano

Songwriting for Children with Autism

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Connecting Music Therapy and Autism

Music Therapy for Children with ADHD

Music Appreciation for Every Need

Music &#038; Special Needs: Cooper Plays the Piano

Songwriting for Children with Autism

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles

Music & Special Needs: Cooper Plays the Piano