How Music Therapy Offers Hope for People with Autism

How Can Music Help Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience differences in how they understand and express emotions. Unlike typically developing children, those with autism may not respond to emotional cues in the same way and tend to focus more on objects than human faces. Socially, they may feel isolated or misunderstood, struggling to grasp others’ intentions, desires, and motivations—an ability known as “theory of mind” (ToM). This difficulty in interpreting social cues can contribute to feelings of loneliness and social rejection.

However, music has shown promise in supporting socioemotional development in individuals with ASD. Research indicates that children with autism are often more receptive to musical stimuli than verbal communication and may even have superior pitch recognition compared to their neurotypical peers. This unique affinity for music suggests that it could be a powerful therapeutic tool, potentially aiding in emotional processing through what’s known as the “mirror neuron system.” This neural system, which is involved in understanding others’ actions and emotions, could be activated by music, thereby enhancing emotional resonance and social connection.

Music therapy can provide meaningful benefits for children and adults with autism by reducing self-stimulatory behaviors and agitation, while also increasing social engagement and emotional attunement. Through music therapy, individuals with ASD can improve their sensory processing, verbal skills, and attention span, helping them better connect with others and respond to social cues. For instance, a study comparing music therapy with standard treatments found that autistic individuals showed notable improvement in both behavior and musical ability after 52 weeks of intervention. Another study, involving 51 children with autism, revealed that 8–12 weeks of individual music therapy led to enhanced social communication and stronger brain connectivity, paving the way for future research into music’s therapeutic role.

With their often heightened musical sensitivity, children and adults with autism have a unique opportunity to leverage this strength to navigate social and emotional challenges, potentially leading to a higher quality of life. Music therapy not only serves as a bridge for emotional expression and social understanding but also empowers individuals with ASD to use their creativity to overcome obstacles.

Sources

1. Molnar-Szakacs, Istvan et al. Autism, Emotion recognition and the Mirror neuron System: The Case of Music. McGill J Med. 12 (2) 87. (2009).

2. Bergmann, Thomas. Music Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Oxford Handbook of Music Therapy. Jan 2016.

3. Allen, Rory and Heaton, Pamella. Autism, Music, and the Therapeutic Potential of Music Therapy in the Treatment of Alexythemia. Music Perception 27 (9) 251-261. (2009)

4. Boso, Marianna et al. Effect of Long Term Interactive Music Therapy on Behavior Profile and Musical Skills in Young Children with Sever Autism. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 13 (7) 709-712. (2007).

5. Sharda, Megha et al. Music improves social communication and auditory-motor connectivity in children with autism. Translational Psychiatry (8) 231. (2018).