Music Therapy for Children with ADHD and ASD

Music therapy is one of the terms that have been used frequently for the last few years. Music therapy can give people who can’t easily communicate a way of communicating and interacting. Instead of using words to communicate, they can instead use a range of musical activities – singing, playing instruments, improvising, songwriting and listening to music. These activities are intended to promote communication and social skills like making eye contact, sharing attention and taking turns. Therapists can also use musical activities to teach new skills. This happens by pairing new skills with their own musical cues. Once children have learned the skills, they no longer need the cues. The cues are gradually phased out until the skills happen by themselves.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prominent neurobehavioral disorder in childhood and adolescence. The defining features of ADHD are inattention (or attention‐deficit), hyperactivity (or overactivity) and impulsivity. The result is maladaptive behaviors that are inconsistent with age and developmental level. Music can work wonders on the ADHD brain, improving everything from language development to impulse control. Music therapy aims for hyperactivity to decrease and attention span to increase.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is a broad term used to describe a group of neurodevelopmental conditions. ASD is characterized by two main dimensions: a deficit in communication and reciprocal social interactions and a restriction of interests with repetitive and stereotypical behaviours. In addition to the core symptoms of ASD, other developmental dimensions are worth investigating to document associated problems (intellectual functioning, sensory modulation impairments, language difficulties, motor skills, attentional difficulties, emotional regulation, associated medical conditions (e.g., seizures), eating, and sleeping). For autistic people, music therapy uses interactive musical activities to improve social and communication skills. 

Music Therapy

Music therapy has helped in increasing attention and focus, reducing hyperactivity, and strengthening social skills in kids with ADHD and Autism.

Music provides structure: Music is constructed on rhythm, which is basically a linear structure, and structure is soothing to an ADHD brain struggling to regulate itself to stay on a linear path. Kirsten Hutchison, a music therapist at Music Works Northwest, explains further. "Music exists in time, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. That structure helps an ADHD child plan, anticipate and react”.

Music fires up synapses: Research shows that pleasurable music increases dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating attention, working memory, and motivation has been found to be in low supply in ADHD brains. Patti Catalano, a neurologic music therapist explains how music therapy can help. "Music shares neural networks with other cognitive processes. Brain imaging has shown music lights up the left and right lobes. The goal of music therapy is to build up those activated brain muscles overtime to help overall function."

Music is social:  Most evident of ADHD and ASD symptoms is the deficiency in social skills. However, music and social skills go hand in hand. Tomaino, a 30-year veteran in music therapy, explains how music therapy can enhance social skills. "Think of an orchestra. If one instrument is missing, you can’t play the piece. All 'voices' are necessary." Hutchison, who teaches an eight-week course for children titled "Social Skills Through Music”, has this to say. "Students learn to listen, take turns, anticipate changes, and pick up on cues in ways they might not do outside of a music-therapy session.”

How Can Music Help Children with ADHD?

Music therapy is a research-based method that helps people improve both the mind and body. All children, including those with ADHD, can benefit from music and music therapy. Choosing to listen to music while studying, being mindful with music, learning to play an instrument, or getting direct guidance from a music therapist or music teacher are all strategies that may help.

If a child is interested in an instrument and takes it on, they can learn discipline and self-expression through practice and creation. They can improve their hand/eye coordination, and have a creative outlet that helps broaden the mind. All of these benefits can lead to improved attention and mood.

Side Note: When picking out an instrument, find one that appeals to the child’s interest and allow them to start out with a small, student-level model they can trade in as they grow.

How Can Music Help Children with Autism?

Music therapy helps individuals with ASD identify and appropriately express their emotions. Musical elements and structures provide a sense of security and familiarity in the music therapy setting, encouraging individuals with ASD to attempt new tasks in a predictable but malleable framework. Music provides concrete, multi-sensory stimulation (auditory, visual, proprioceptive, vestibular, and tactile). Music therapy can stimulate individuals to reduce negative and/or self-stimulatory responses and increase participation in more appropriate and socially acceptable ways. The rhythmic component of music is very organized for the sensory systems of individuals diagnosed with autism. As a result, auditory processing and other sensory-motor, perceptual/motor, gross and fine motor skills can be enhanced through music therapy. Music therapy focuses on strengths, which in turn may be utilized to address each individual’s areas of need. Many people with ASD have innate musical talents; thus, music therapy provides an opportunity for successful experiences.