The Benefits of Music Therapy on Children With Autism

Autism is a highly complex disability that affects the development of social, verbal, and cognitive abilities. Approximately one in fifty-four children in the United States is affected by autism. Analysis shows that early intervention results in positive outcomes later in life. (The Benefits Of Music Therapy For Autistic Children).

Despite this, music therapy has been linked to positive outcomes and progress in the skill development of individuals with autism. Music has become a tool used in treatment for autism is because it can stimulate both hemispheres of our brain instead of one, meaning that therapists can use songs or instruments to support cognitive activity to help build self-awareness and improved relationships. It helps encourage communicative behavior in autistic children which helps encourage interactions with others. (Dimitris)

In a band, all the instruments must interact with one another, but the player needs to interact with the instrument first. Children who have autism have trouble interacting with others, but when introduced to an instrument for therapy, they make the bond with the instrument that allows for them to open up to others through music. (Dimitris)

Why music therapy?

Studies have shown that music therapy used with children and even teens who have autism can improve social behaviors, increase focus and attention, increase communication attempts, reduce anxiety, and improve body awareness and coordination. (Dimitris)

When we listen to music, we interpret the lyrics and sound which in turn helps teach us how to communicate. For children who have autism, this means that they could potentially learn new words from a song or better understand how to act in social situations. (Dimitris)

How does music therapy help autism?

Music therapy can improve the quality of life for people with autism and offer several benefits:

·      Music is multi-sensory

In many music experiences, the child receives auditory, visual, and tactile input in one place. This can often be helpful, but we must keep in mind that some children are easily overwhelmed. Music is luckily flexible and adaptable to be able to fit each child’s needs.

·      Music is processed in the whole brain

When engaged in music activities, studies have shown that music is recognized by both the left and right hemispheres. Just listening to music activates neural networks that are responsible for emotions, creativity, and motor control.

·      Music provides structure

Musical elements and structure create a sense of familiarity and security. It is helpful for individuals with autism to know what is coming next. For children that are very dependent on the repetition of the same activities new music experiences and songs can be introduced slowly, but while keeping most of the expected routine.

·      Music can improve communication

Up to 30% of autistic children are nonverbal and many low-functioning children have difficulty with verbal commands and social awareness. Music provides an experience of self-expression that does not require words. For other children, music therapy can also help develop existing language in various ways. Music strategies can be used to help children learn to expressively and receptively label items or pictures, use carrier phrases, increase comprehension, and develop conversational skills to name a few.

·      Music encourages social interactions

Children with autism have been found to show more emotional expression and social engagement from music therapy sessions than from play sessions without music.

·      Music can reduce anxiety

“A small four-week study, conducted at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse in 2006, found preliminary success in reducing anxiety in patients with autism through music therapy. After 16 short, 20-minute sessions, during which the treatment patients listened to rhythmic music, the participants who received the therapy appeared to have decreased anxiety-related behaviors.”

·      Music therapy can address motor, cognitive, and social skills

Autistic children usually struggle with learning letters, numbers, or colors and improving gross or fine motor skills. A music therapist can effectively create music strategies to help develop targeted skills. (Dimitris)

Music is often very appealing to and receptive to those on the autistic spectrum. Music can be utilized as a natural "reinforcer" for desired responses because it is inspiring and entertaining. Individuals with sensory aversions to certain sounds may benefit from music therapy to cope with sound sensitivities or variations in auditory processing. So if your child already appears to appreciate and respond to music, it may be worth your while to look into more benefits of music therapy.

Children's Development Through Music

Children learn to express themselves through music. Young infants sway, bounce, or move their hands in response to music, many preschoolers make up songs and, with no self-consciousness, sing to themselves as they play, children in elementary school learn to sing together as a group and possibly learn to play a musical instrument. Music plays an important role in our lives and it’s present in so many aspects of our lives: theater, television, movies, worship, holidays, and celebrations. At home, music can become part of our family cultures—a natural part of our everyday experiences.

A 2016 study at the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute found that musical experiences in childhood can actually accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills. According to the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM Foundation), learning to play an instrument can improve mathematical learning and even increase SAT scores.

Before we give some guidance on which instruments you should get, we need to first go over why it’s vital for your child to start playing with instruments at an early age. Kids learn to express their feelings through songs. Babies and toddlers learn cause an effect when they hit a drum and hear the resulting bang or noise. “In terms of motor skills, music helps kids develop muscles in their legs and arms when they hold guitars or dance around to music. And when they stomp or shimmy or shake, they learn about balance and gain an awareness of their bodies” (Freydkin, Fatherly). In addition to the developmental benefits, simply put: music bring us joy. 

“A new study by scientists at the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) shows that a series of play sessions with music improved 9-month-old babies’ brain processing of both music and new speech sounds…babies in the music group had stronger brain responses to the disruption in both music and speech rhythm in both the auditory and the prefrontal cortex, compared with babies in the control group” (McElroy, University Washington).

After learning why music plays such an important role in your child’s development, replace the wooden spoon and start banging on the drums or strumming on those six strings! Below is our best recommendations on which instruments your child could start playing with. These instruments were carefully picked due to the factors of bright colors, light weight, creating the proper motor skills, and something that you as parents would like to play along side with your child!

We recommend some different toys like the ‘Lil’ Symphony Toddler Guitar’ by KidKraft, the ‘Pop! Pop! Toy Piano’ by Mirari, the ‘Oprala 2 in 1 Baby Piano Xylophone for Kids’, the wooden toy drums, and Smarkids Music Instruments Toddler Toys.

There is no downside to bringing children and music together through fun activities. We are able to enjoy the benefits of music from the moment we’re born. Just like language, music is a shared, expressive, inventive, portable way to be together. If put to work, it can be a powerful force in the lives of young children and families.