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What are the benefits of music for children on the autism spectrum?
Autism and music therapy: When we talk about autism, we often think of communication, social interaction, and sensory processing challenges. However, we must also remember that each child on the spectrum has a unique way of experiencing and connecting with the world. Music, a universal language that transcends words, can be a powerful tool to help our children express themselves, relax, and connect with others. Developmental experts have studied autism and music therapy, highlighting the multiple benefits of music in the lives of people on the spectrum.
Despite the challenges of autism in certain areas, people on the spectrum can have remarkable abilities to recognize, experience, and process the emotional aspects of music. So, what are the benefits of music for children on the autism spectrum?
In this blog by ABA Centers of America, we will explore how autism and music therapy relate, the benefits this methodology offers, and strategies parents or caregivers can implement to incorporate music into their child’s life.
Autism and Music Therapy: Why is it Beneficial?
Music therapy is a structured intervention that uses music to help improve cognitive, emotional, social, and motor skills. Through music, children can work on areas that may be difficult for them in other contexts. For children with autism, music offers a safe space where they can explore and express themselves without the limitations of verbal language.
What makes music so effective is its ability to stimulate different parts of the brain simultaneously. Studies published in the National Library of Medicine have shown that children with autism may have superior musical sensitivity and understanding, allowing them to respond positively to musical interventions. Music can help them learn social skills and integrate into society, reduce anxiety, and improve attention while children enjoy a pleasurable activity.
How Do Children with Autism Process Music?
Children with autism often have a unique connection to music. While they may face significant challenges in other areas, many show a natural affinity for music, and some even have exceptional musical abilities. Research on autism and music therapy suggests that the brain of a person with autism may process music with increased sensitivity and responsiveness to musical stimuli.
Frontiers in Psychology states that children with autism may have an increased ability to detect patterns and sequences in music, which may explain why so many children on the spectrum respond so positively to it. This ability to recognize patterns may also be a starting point for working on other cognitive and communication skills.
Likewise, research from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that when people with autism listen to certain types of music, they exhibit specific brain activity related to emotional functioning. During this activity, their cortical and subcortical brain regions activate, suggesting that music triggers emotional processing. The results of this research highlighted that all children showed greater emotional understanding when learning with a music background, which increased empathy and social awareness.
In addition, biological studies have reported that in the context of autism and music therapy, some hormones, such as oxytocin and neuropeptide, are released by the posterior pituitary gland, which promotes empathy in people with ASD, relieves pain, anxiety, agitation, and depression.
Benefits of Music Therapy for Children with Autism
Music therapy is not just about enjoying music. The relationship between autism and music therapy comes with concrete, scientifically supported benefits. Some of the main benefits include:
- Improved Communication: Through songs and rhythms, children can learn to express themselves in new ways. Even those who have difficulty with verbal language can find a way to communicate in music. Also, music therapy for children with autism can improve their reception in communicating with others and learning to recognize objects in the environment.
- Stress and Anxiety Reduction: When talking about autism and music therapy, it is essential to mention the emotional benefits that music provides. Its natural calming effect can help children relax and reduce stress either by participating in the creation of music or simply listening to a particular type of music that helps them reach that state of relaxation.
- Encouraging Social Interaction: Music therapy sessions often occur in a group setting, which can help children learn to interact and collaborate with others in a structured and positive environment. Additionally, some parents may find it helpful to use music to connect with their children, mainly when they have limited expressive communication skills.
- Motor Skills Development: Many children with ASD may have motor skills difficulties. However, when addressing autism and music therapy, we can highlight how rhythmic movement, dancing, or playing instruments can help improve coordination and fine and gross motor skills.
- Cognitive Stimulation: Music can help develop memory, attention, and other cognitive skills, as it requires the brain to process several types of information simultaneously.
Strategies for Incorporating Music into Your Child’s Life
As parents or caregivers of children with ASD, you can integrate autism and music therapy in several ways, even if you are not an expert musician. Here are some practical strategies:
- Sing Together: Don’t underestimate the power of a simple song. Singing familiar songs can help your child improve language and comprehension. Whether in the car or at home, you can choose songs that teach daily living skills like brushing teeth or organizing toys, or you can sing any song that your child connects with.
- Use Music to Establish Routines: Creating a playlist with specific songs for different parts of the day, e.g., bedtime, dinnertime, and a wake-up song, can help your child understand and follow daily routines.
- Play Musical Instruments: You don’t need a professional instrument to enjoy music. You can buy some toy ones or even use kitchen utensils to simulate drums or bottles filled with rice as maracas. The most important thing is that the musical session is fun and beneficial.
- Create a Musical Space: Dedicate a corner of your home to music. Fill it with simple instruments and devices with access to music, and let your child explore at their own pace.
- Participate in Music Therapy Sessions: If possible, consider enrolling your child in music therapy sessions with a certified therapist. These sessions can be customized to address your child’s specific needs. Also, ABA therapy or Applied Behavior Analysis is a methodology that includes various techniques for teaching skills, including music, within its sessions.
ABA Centers of America: Enhancing Essential Skills
Music has the power to connect, heal, and transform. In the case of autism and music therapy, this tool can be essential to growth and wellness. At ABA Centers of America, we recognize that the key is to discover how music can resonate in the life of each person on the spectrum and, with a personalized approach, support them on their musical journey.
Whether it’s with music therapy sessions or including musical activities in their ABA therapy sessions, if you notice that your child responds positively to music, explore various options for incorporating it into their life.
Call us at (844) 923-4222 or connect with us online to speak with an expert about how we can incorporate music into your child’s ABA therapy sessions.
