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Last Updated on September 13, 2025 by John Hookway
You see more teens getting diagnosed with autism every year. Right now, about 1 in 100 children in the world have autism.
Music Therapy uses planned activities like group drumming and call-and-response songs. These activities help you build social skills, talk better, and control your feelings.
Studies show that music can make you less anxious. It can help you pay attention and wake up brain parts that help you understand others.
| Benefit | What Music Therapy Helps With |
|---|---|
| Social Skills | Sharing attention, taking turns, joining in groups |
| Communication | Showing feelings, using words and body movements |
| Emotional Regulation | Lowering stress, handling anger, stopping upset behaviors |
| Cognitive Functions | Helping with focus, memory, and solving problems |
Key Takeaways
- Music Therapy helps teens with autism get better at social skills. They do group things like singing and drumming together.
- Doing music can help teens talk more. They can show feelings with words, sounds, and moving their bodies.
- Music Therapy helps teens control their feelings. It helps them handle stress and have fewer outbursts.
- Joining music activities can help the brain work better. It can make focus, memory, and problem-solving skills stronger.
- Certified therapists make special plans for each teen. This makes sure Music Therapy fits what each teen needs.
- Therapists, teachers, and families work together to make Music Therapy work better.
- Making clear and easy goals in therapy helps see how teens are doing. It also helps teens stay excited to learn.
- Doing music at home can help teens remember what they learn in therapy. It can also help families feel closer.
Music Therapy and Autism
Main Benefits
Music Therapy helps you grow and connect with others in many ways. You can join group activities, play instruments, or sing with friends. These things help you get better at talking and working with others.
You learn to share, wait your turn, and show your feelings. Music Therapy also helps you handle your emotions and feel less stressed. You might have fewer outbursts and more control over how you act.
Here are some main benefits found in peer-reviewed studies:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Improved Social Skills | Music therapy helps you talk and join in with others. |
| Emotional Engagement | It helps you feel music and understand emotions better. |
| Behavioral Symptoms | Music therapy can help you act better and share your feelings. |
You may want to join activities more often. Music Therapy wakes up brain parts that deal with feelings and rewards. You might find it easier to pay attention and join in social skills lessons. This therapy is not expensive and does not hurt, so it is a good way to help you grow.
You can use music to copy others and make your mirror neuron system stronger. This helps you learn by watching people.
Who Benefits
You might wonder if all teens with autism get help from Music Therapy. Research shows many teens get better at talking and showing feelings.
Some groups do even better, like those with certain behavior problems. If you have trouble with friends or showing feelings, you might see bigger changes. Studies say some behavior problems get better with music more than with other therapies.
- Teens who find it hard to join groups often get the most help.
- Those who have trouble sharing feelings may see bigger changes.
- If you need help copying others or getting motivated, Music Therapy can help.
Limitations
Music Therapy does not work the same for everyone. You might see better social skills, but not always big changes in all symptoms.
Some teens do not get much better at talking or daily skills. We do not know how long the good effects last, so more research is needed. You may need your own plan to get the best results.
- It is still not clear if it helps with all main symptoms.
- Getting better at daily social skills can be hard.
- You may need to use Music Therapy with other help for the best results.
You should talk to your therapist about your goals and keep track of what works best for you.
What Is Music Therapy
Core Principles
You take part in Music Therapy as a proven practice. A certified therapist uses music to help you reach goals. The American Music Therapy Association says this therapy uses music activities for your needs. You work with a professional who makes a plan just for you.
The main ideas guide each session:
- Individualized Approaches: You have your own strengths and challenges. Your therapist makes a plan that fits you.
- Music-Based Interventions: You use music to stay interested and focused. Each activity helps you reach certain goals.
Your therapist listens to you and picks music activities that help you grow.
How It Works
You join sessions where music helps you learn and grow. Your therapist may ask you to play instruments, sing, or move to music.
These activities help you show feelings and build communication skills. You learn to share, wait your turn, and listen to others. Music Therapy gives you a safe place to show emotions and handle stress.
Here is how it works for teens with autism:
- You get better at talking by showing feelings with words, sounds, or movement.
- You learn to control emotions and find ways to cope.
- You practice social skills like waiting your turn and listening.
- You explore new sensory experiences in a safe way, which helps you feel comfortable.
You can use music to try new skills in a fun and friendly place.
Therapist’s Role
Your therapist helps you make progress. They create programs that match your needs and interests. You might join community services, where therapists work with schools or centers to make special sessions.
Some programs, like Jam Session for Teens, help you make friends and express yourself with music. Therapists also use neurologic music therapy techniques to help you grow.
| Program Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Community Services | Therapists work with facilities to make sessions using neurologic music therapy techniques. |
| Jam Session Program for Teens | You join music activities that build social skills and creativity. |
| American Music Therapy Association | Therapists help you get better at talking and coordination in school settings. |
Your therapist works with you, your family, and your teachers to make sure your therapy fits your life.
Effects on Social and Communication Skills
Social Interaction
You can make better friends by joining music activities. Music Therapy uses singing, rhythm games, and playing instruments together.
These activities help you practice sharing and listening. You also learn to answer others. You get to take turns and see how your friends feel. Group music time gives you a safe place to try new ways to talk with others.
| Music Therapy Activity | Contribution to Social Interaction |
|---|---|
| Interactive Singing | Helps you take turns and see how others feel. |
| Rhythm-based Activities | Lets you work together and pay attention at the same time. |
| Instrumental Improvisation | Helps you show feelings and talk in new ways. |
You can use rhythm games to work as a team and trust others.
Communication Improvement
You might see changes in how you talk after music sessions. Teens in Voices Together show more talking and social actions.
Teachers notice you use more words and gestures during and after music time. You can share feelings with sounds, moves, or singing. The more you join, the more your talking skills grow.
- Joining Voices Together helps you talk and act more social, and teachers see this.
- Music therapy helps kids with autism talk and join in, no matter how strong their symptoms are.
- Being in Voices Together for a long time helps you answer better, so time in therapy matters.
- Research shows kids with autism join in more and show more feelings in music therapy.
- Kids answer therapists better when they are in music sessions.
You can use music to learn new words and show feelings in different ways.
Engagement and Focus
You stay more interested and focused during music sessions. Music Therapy makes a fun and friendly place. The beat and tune help you pay attention and join group work.
You notice more around you and learn to use eye contact and body moves. Studies show you can focus better and try new things when you join music.
| Study | Findings |
|---|---|
| Pater et al. (2021) | Kids with autism focus better and try more in music. |
| Vaiouli et al. (2015) | Kids look at faces more and share attention in music. |
| Salomon-Gimmon and Elefant (2019) | Kids talk more and focus on friends in music sessions. |
| Kim et al. (2009) | Music brings joy and helps kids show feelings together. |
- Music therapy helps you show and understand feelings with others.
- It helps you talk without words using sound and movement.
- Music grabs your attention and helps you notice more, so you focus better.
You can use music to stay excited and have fun learning new things with friends.
Emotional and Behavioral Impact
Emotional Regulation
Music can help you handle your feelings. When you join music activities, you find new ways to show emotions. Sometimes it is hard to talk about how you feel.
You might play drums, sing, or move to music. These things help you notice and control your feelings. You learn to see when you are happy, sad, or angry. Rhythm games and making up music give you a safe place to practice staying calm.
- You show hard feelings with music.
- You learn to spot and control emotions.
- Rhythm games help you feel steady.
Try using music to show your feelings. You might find it easier to talk about your emotions after music time.
Anxiety Reduction
You may feel less worried when you join music sessions. Music makes a calm and safe place. You listen to soft sounds and follow easy beats.
These things help you relax and feel less stress. You get a safe place to think about your feelings without worry. Studies say music therapy can lower anxiety and angry actions in teens with autism.
| Evidence Type | Findings | Sample Size | Quality of Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Improvement | Music therapy likely helps you get better overall | 1165 | Moderate |
| Quality of Life | Life scores got better by 0.28 SDs | 1165 | Moderate |
| Autism Severity | Autism symptom scores dropped by 0.83 SDs | 1165 | Moderate |
| Social Interaction | No clear proof for change, scores a little higher | 1165 | Low |
| Adverse Events | No strong link with bad events | 1165 | Moderate |
You may not feel as overwhelmed by loud sounds or lights. The calm music helps you deal with feelings and stress in better ways.
Motivation
You can feel more excited to join music activities. Music gives you a reason to try new things. You might want to play an instrument or sing with friends. Simple music steps make it easy to join and keep going. You get praise from your therapist and friends, which helps you keep trying.
- You enjoy making music.
- You want to join group music times.
- You get support that helps you try new things.
Music Therapy helps you feel proud and excited by making learning fun and giving rewards.
Scientific Evidence
Research Findings
Studies show music therapy helps teens with autism. Music activities help you talk more and join groups. You can control your feelings better after music sessions.
You may do fewer repetitive actions and behave better. Many studies use scores to check progress. The ASSCM score goes up after nine weeks of music therapy.
This means you do better in social and communication tasks. You also like music sessions, so you stay interested and learn new things.
| Findings | Description |
|---|---|
| Social Skills Improvement | Music therapy helps you talk, join groups, and respond better. |
| Emotional Regulation | Music gives you a safe way to show feelings and control them. |
| Behavioral Control | Music can help you stop repeating actions and behave better with rhythm and melody. |
| Findings | Description |
|---|---|
| ASSCM Score Increase | After nine weeks, ASSCM scores go up, showing better social and communication skills. |
| Participation and Enjoyment | Music therapy makes you want to join in and have fun, which helps you get better at social skills. |
Try music activities to build social skills and have fun learning with others.
Brain Activity
Music therapy can change how your brain works. Scientists use EEG and fMRI to look at brain activity in teens with autism. These tools show music wakes up brain parts for attention, memory, and language.
When you listen or play music, your brain connects areas for feelings and thinking. This helps you focus and remember more. One study used Orff music therapy for three months.
Teens got better at language and understanding. Music wakes up the hearing part of your brain, so you learn new words and ideas. Music and language use some of the same brain areas, so music therapy can help you talk and understand others.
Music can help your brain grow and make learning and talking easier.
Why It Works
Music therapy works because it uses many parts of your brain. When you join music, you use your ears, voice, hands, and body. This makes learning new skills fun.
Music gives you a safe place to show feelings and try new things. You learn to work with others, listen, and share. Scientists think music helps your brain make new connections. These changes help you control feelings, talk better, and join group activities. You can see better social skills, behavior, and language after music sessions.
- You practice social skills with music games.
- You learn to control feelings with rhythm and melody.
- You build new brain connections by joining music activities.
Use music therapy to help you grow, learn, and connect with others.
Music Therapy Techniques
Active Music-Making
You join in by playing instruments or singing with others. You can use drums, keyboards, or your voice to make music. You take part in group activities and follow musical cues.
These sessions help you learn social skills like taking turns and working together. You get to show your feelings through music. This helps you feel close to others and understood.
| Therapeutic Outcome | Description |
|---|---|
| Social Skills Enhancement | You learn to share attention and join group music. |
| Emotional Engagement | You feel joy and connect with others using music. |
| Communication Improvement | You practice talking and using gestures while making music. |
| Cognitive Processing Skills | You get better at focusing during music tasks. |
| Motor Skills Development | You build coordination by playing and moving to rhythms. |
Making music gives you a safe way to join in. You may notice music helps you stay interested and makes learning fun. Many teens with autism like musical activities. This can help you want to join and try more. You use music to show feelings and talk, even if words are hard.
Try joining a drum circle or sing with friends. You can work as a team and feel more confident.
Listening
Listening is another important music therapy technique. You listen to live or recorded music to relax and focus. Therapists pick songs that fit your mood or help you calm down.
Listening to music wakes up different parts of your brain. This helps you handle feelings and think better. You may join group listening sessions and share thoughts about the music.
- Listening to music helps you show feelings without words.
- You learn to spot emotions in songs and connect them to your own.
- Group listening helps you talk with others and feel less anxious.
Music therapy uses listening to help you handle stress and pay attention better. You might find some songs make you feel safe or happy. Listening can help you understand others and care about their feelings.
You can ask your therapist to play your favorite song. Sharing music choices helps you bond with others.
Songwriting
Songwriting lets you make your own music and lyrics. You work with your therapist to write songs about your feelings or dreams. This technique helps you know yourself and show emotions in a creative way.
You might write about things that make you happy or problems you face. Songwriting helps you talk and join in, especially when you share your songs.
- Songwriting helps you understand and talk about your feelings.
- You feel proud by making something special.
- Sharing songs with family or friends makes relationships stronger.
Music therapy uses songwriting to help you try new ideas and talk in ways that feel safe. You learn to organize thoughts and show yourself, even if talking is hard. Making music together can help you feel proud and close to others.
Songwriting gives you a way to share your story. You can inspire others with your music.
Movement
Movement is important in music therapy for teens with autism. You might clap, march, sway, or dance to music. These actions help your body and mind work together.
Moving with music lets you show feelings without words. You can use your body to show happiness or excitement. You might also show frustration by moving.
Music therapists use games with rhythm and movement. You may play a game where you pass a ball to the beat. Sometimes you copy a dance move from someone else.
These games help you take turns and pay attention. You learn to watch your friends and respond to what they do. Moving together helps you trust others and work as a team.
You might find movement helps you join group activities. When you move with others, you share a goal. You feel like you belong in the group. This can help you make friends and feel less lonely. Movement also helps you focus better. The beat gives you something steady to follow. You can use rhythm to calm your body and mind.
Therapists use movement to help you understand emotions. You might stomp your feet to show anger. You could wave your arms to show joy. Moving to music helps you notice how your body feels. You learn to control your movements and express yourself safely.
Research shows movement-based music therapy helps teens with autism. Here is a table with some findings:
| Study | Findings |
|---|---|
| Wimpory et al. (1995) | Teens made more eye contact and joined in more after rhythmic movement games. |
| Kim et al. (2009) | Teens shared more happy feelings and paid attention together during music therapy. |
| Katagiri (2009) | Teens understood emotions better when taught with music than with words alone. |
| Wood (1991) et al. | Teens had fewer aggressive or self-harming behaviors in music-based sessions. |
You can see movement with music helps you in many ways:
- You get better at making eye contact and joining others.
- You understand emotions more easily.
- You feel happier and share good times with friends.
- You may have fewer tough behaviors, like aggression or self-injury.
Try moving to your favorite song at home. Notice how your body feels and what emotions you have. You might find it easier to talk about your feelings after moving with music.
Movement in music therapy gives you a safe place to explore and grow. You use your body to talk, make friends, and handle your feelings. This technique helps you feel more confident and comfortable with yourself.
Integration into Support Plans
Collaboration
You do better when everyone helps you together. Collaboration means your parents, teachers, and therapists work as a team. They share ideas and talk about what helps you most.
Your music therapist works with your speech and occupational therapists. Each person uses their skills to help you learn. Family support is very important.
When your caregivers join sessions or talk with your therapist, you use music more at home. You get the most help when your team mixes music therapy with other support. Working together helps you reach your goals faster and makes your progress stronger.
Ask your team to meet often. Sharing news helps everyone know what works for you.
Collaboration strategies include:
- Sharing updates between therapists and teachers
- Including family in planning and sessions
- Mixing music therapy with speech or occupational therapy
- Making group activities with friends and siblings
Goal Setting
You do your best when you have clear goals. Your team looks at your strengths and needs first. Together, you set goals for music therapy.
You might want to get better at talking, showing feelings, or focusing. Your therapist helps you make a plan. The plan says how often you meet, how long sessions last, and what you do.
SMART goals help you succeed:
- Specific: You know what you want to do.
- Measurable: You can see your progress.
- Achievable: Your goals fit your abilities.
- Relevant: Your goals match your needs.
- Timely: You set a time to finish each goal.
Your team checks your progress often. They keep notes and share updates with your caregivers. When you reach a goal, you celebrate and set new ones. Family helps you stay motivated and on track. This support makes it easier for you to learn and grow.
Tracking your wins helps you see your progress and keeps you excited to learn.
Home Activities
You keep getting help from music therapy at home. Parents help by adding music to your daily routine. Simple things like dancing, singing, or playing instruments help you practice skills outside of therapy.
Moving to music builds your motor skills and lets you show feelings. Musical stories help your imagination and help you understand emotions.
Writing songs lets you share your thoughts and feelings in a fun way. Listening to sounds helps you focus and use your senses. Music games, like musical chairs, help you play and work with others.
Popular home activities:
- Dancing to favorite songs
- Making stories with music
- Writing lyrics about your day
- Playing instruments together
- Listening and naming sounds
- Joining music games with family
Parents who use these activities help you get more from therapy. You enjoy music, feel proud of your progress, and build stronger bonds with your family.
Making music at home brings happy times and helps you grow every day.
Overcoming Challenges
You might have problems when you try to add music therapy to your support plan. Knowing about these problems helps you get ready and find ways to fix them with your family.
Common Challenges You Might Encounter:
- It can be hard to find a music therapist with autism training.
- Insurance may not pay for music therapy sessions.
- You need to make sure music therapy works with your other therapies.
- Your care team must talk and work together.
- You might lose motivation if progress is slow.
- Activities should match your comfort and sensory needs.
You can solve these problems by taking simple steps. Look for therapists who know how to help teens with autism.
Ask them about their training and how they plan sessions for you. If you cannot find a therapist, ask your school or local autism center for help.
Insurance can be tough to get. Talk to your provider and explain how music therapy helps you. Keep notes about your progress and show them to your insurance company. Sometimes, showing how music therapy helps your social skills or emotional regulation can help you get coverage.
Music therapy works best with your other therapies. Ask your music therapist to talk with your speech or occupational therapist. When your care team shares updates and plans together, you get more help. Working as a team brings better results.
You may feel upset if you do not see fast changes. Progress takes time. Celebrate small wins and write down what gets better. Your family and therapists can help you stay motivated. Try new activities and change them if you feel uncomfortable. If loud sounds or busy groups bother you, ask your therapist to change the session for you.
Use a journal or chart to track your progress. Write what you like, what is hard, and what changes you see. Sharing this helps your care team support you better.
| Challenge | What You Can Do |
|---|---|
| Finding a qualified therapist | Ask about autism training and experience. |
| Insurance coverage | Document progress and advocate for coverage. |
| Integration with other therapies | Foster collaboration among care providers. |
| Sensory or comfort issues | Adjust activities to fit your needs. |
| Slow progress | Celebrate small wins and keep a progress chart. |
You can do well with music therapy if you know what problems to expect and what steps to take. When you work with your team and stay flexible, music therapy becomes a strong part of your support plan.
You see real benefits when you use Music Therapy as part of your support plan. You build social skills, improve communication, and handle emotions better.
You can talk to your care team about adding music sessions. You may want to look for local therapists or online resources. You help your teen grow and feel more confident every day.
FAQ
What is music therapy for teens with autism?
Music therapy uses music to help you learn new skills. You can get better at talking and working with others. A certified therapist helps you sing, play, and move to music.
What happens during a music therapy session?
You may sing or play instruments in each session. Sometimes you listen to music or move to the beat. Your therapist picks activities that fit your needs and goals.
What benefits can you expect from music therapy?
You can get better at talking and making friends. You may focus more and control your feelings better. Many teens feel less worried and want to join in after sessions.
What should you look for in a music therapist?
Pick a therapist who knows how to help teens with autism. Ask about their training and how they plan your sessions. Find out how they check your progress.
What if you do not like loud sounds or busy groups?
Tell your therapist what makes you comfortable. They can use softer music or make smaller groups. This helps you feel safe and calm.
What can you do at home to support music therapy?
Try singing or dancing with your family at home. Play instruments or listen to songs together. Use music games to practice talking and sharing feelings.
What challenges might you face with music therapy?
It can be hard to find a good therapist or get insurance to pay. Sometimes progress is slow. Work with your team and celebrate small steps forward.
What resources can help you start music therapy?
Ask your school or local autism center for help. Your doctor can give you ideas too. The American Music Therapy Association website lists therapists near you.
