Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a general term for a group of complex brain disorders. These disorders are characterized, with varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non verbal communication and repetitive behaviours.
Music as a therapy has been shown to very beneficial to sufferers of ASD. There is a strong link between musical processing strength and autism so stimulation in this way can lead to improvements in the condition.
Singing can be a pathway to promote early speech development by allowing children to access new neurological pathways, which in turn can compensate for communication deficits. On top of this music, at its core, is a structured way to present information. It has Melodic and rhythmic patterns which allow students with autism to organize auditory information and help memorize scripts, task sequences, and academic facts.
Music can also be helpful to individuals with autism in that it can allow social and family connections developed through a mutual shared interest. Whilst it is also a creative medium that can offer a motivating and safe way to explore more flexibility and spontaneity, which can break negative repetitive behaviours.
My brother Jacob becomes vocal in his choice in music and when he is listening, which is not usually the case. He likes playing music on the mobile, Ipad and Nintendo DS which he will put near to his ear. In the car he will say Rhianna and track number 1 because he likes the song Umbrella and this is the first track on the album, for someone non verbal this feels like a breakthrough. He loves dancing and having a go at instruments. He especially enjoys plucking my violin or pressing the keys on the piano. Also when we would go on holiday he would enjoy the dance clubs where we dance and listen to music. All of these activities help him come out of his shell.
https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article/21/12/2838/299898
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/875512339901800103
Jacob's Time 