How Can Music Soothe and Console Autistic Children?

Families with children who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may struggle to discover novel forms of therapy and solutions that can be adapted to support autistic children. Music therapy centralizes upon improving the expressiveness of inner emotional experiences that individuals feel – by calming stressful emotions and leading a positive and strong impact on the nervous system and on the brain. Music has been seen to help the body recover from states of tension – and has also been seen to improve the sensory processing issues autistic children face.

So what exactly does music therapy entail? Music therapy is a form of therapy that uses music’s calming influence by applying music as an intervention between art, physical and mental health. Through applying particular melodies, rhythms, dynamics, and sounds to help those with autism express their inner feelings like anger or anxiety, therapists are capable of regulating the blurred states and heightened tension these children may be feeling.

Furthermore, music therapy is also a form of non-verbal communication, where feelings and emotions can be mutually expressed through the ebbs and flows of music; thus, enhancing the communication skills and social interaction that children with speech impairments or communication challenges may benefit greatly from.