Playing musical instruments stimulates the autistic brain to make new connections and strengthens existing ones; this can result in improved mental health and increased cognitive ability for people with autism engaging in musical play activities.
What kind of music is best for autism? Music therapy for autistic people is often improvisational. This means the music is spontaneous and matches the temperament of the person playing. Music therapists say music with a strong beat, simple structure, and easy lyrics do best.
Some children on the spectrum prefer a heavy duvet as they crave the pressure it provides. For other children, very light cotton bedding and pajamas made of breathable materials are a must.
Whether it's to provide relaxation or to develop coordination or motor skills, playing music instruments is a great activity for kids who have autism.
Many children with autism like to play piano with just their index fingers. They might not even be aware that they have other digits to use or that those digits are called fingers. On the other hand, many children with autism have really great ears and can play difficult songs by ear. Start with the very basics.
Autism and piano may not seem to go together, but autistic and/or disabled children have amazing musical abilities. I've also seen ADHD kids with undiscovered piano talent. I've had a good deal of experience teaching piano to kids with various levels of ADHD, Autism, Down's, Asperger's syndrome and Dyslexia.
Although this can sometimes feel challenging, it is important to recognize three very simple factors that every person with ASD needs: safety, acceptance and a sense of competence.
LEGO building toys are extraordinarily popular among children with autism. They offer a simple, predictable, repeatable activity that can be accomplished alone without outside help. They are also part of a system of toys that look and work in similar ways.
Often children with autism can sing much better than they can speak. Even totally nonverbal children will hum or babble along with the music. One of the first times my youngest used any sounds or words was in the car singing along with my Duran Duran, Adam Ant CDs along with other 1980s music.
Children with autism have also been shown to prefer musical learning compared to visual or auditory learning. Autistic children have a keen interest in music and remarkable musical abilities, which makes it easier for them to learn when music is made part of their learning.
Parents and caregivers have found that autistic children are able to communicate and express themselves much better through music than any other form of expression. This can sometimes be in the form of singing, as an alternative to speech. Music can also improve a child's behavior, as it has a calming effect on them.
Playing musical instruments is perfect for developing fine motor skills and developing gross motor skills. For those with autism spectrum disorder, developing these motor skills may be more delayed than in neurotypical children. That is why toys and instruments are highly beneficial for developing these skills.
Many studies found that music helps those with autism to develop better social skills and generate confidence in them. Music therapists have shown that music can reduce the stress and anxiety levels of autistic children and adults. It can reduce distressed behaviors as well.
Sensory objects and toys are perfect for soothing the early stages of a meltdown. They can help decrease sensory overload (even if that seems counterintuitive) and provide a helpful distraction for the person with autism. There are plenty of sensory toys on the market if you want something convenient.
Disability Access Service pass (DAS)
All three major amusement parks (Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Orlando) provide assistance passes for guests with autism and other developmental disabilities.
While some studies suggest that too much screen time can negatively impact the development of young children's language and social skills, watching television can offer valuable tools and lessons and be very beneficial for kids with ASD.
Having an extraordinarily good memory (being able to remember facts for a long period of time). Being precise and detail orientated. Exceptional honesty and reliability. Being dependable in regards to schedules and routines.
Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Communication challenges. Difficulties with emotional regulation. Executive functioning problems.
Kids with autism experience “deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships, ranging, for example, from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit various social contexts; to difficulties in sharing imaginative play or in making friends; to the absence of interest in peers (DSM-5).”
Not All Autistics Are Mathematic Savants, But Many Have Above-Average Math Abilities. It turns out that, despite impressions, most ASD patients may not be any better at math than their counterparts at a particular age or developmental stage.
Many find it hard to communicate and to understand what other people are thinking and feeling. Autism affects how people process sensory information (such as sight and sound), which can make everyday tasks more difficult. In a noisy environment, many autistic people say it is difficult to hear what's being said.
Savants with autism typically show amazing skill within one or more general ability domains. Mathematical, artistic, musical, spatial and mechanical abilities are most common. Most savants have a single skills but some have been reported to have more than one.