Music and Autism : 5 Do’s and Don’ts

By Ryan Judd, MA, MT-BC (Board Certified Music Therapist)http://www.TheRhythmTree.com

Do: Use simple instruments. Tambourines, rhythm sticks, maracas, cabasas

and drums are my favorites!

Do: Reflect and acknowledge your child’s expressions.

Sing about what they are doing, sing back to them the sounds they make or words they say, mirror

their movement, etc.

Do: Set the stage for success. Limit distractions and if you can't get them out of

the room, cover them up with a sheet.

Do: Move to the music!

Put on some fun recorded music and dance or pretend to be different animals. Acting like a

monkey is my personal favorite!

Do: Sing to your child. Don't worry about whether or not you have a good voice, just GO FOR IT! Kids really don't

care whether you can sing in pitch or not.

Do: Check out The Rhythm Tree DVD and Music Kit for Kids with Autism

• This award-winning kit gives you all of the tools you need to use music to bond with children with autism and help them reach developmental goals

• Learn more at http://www.therhythmtree.com/store

Don’t Rush.Take your time to figure out what works and what doesn't.

Don’t forget to be sensitive to over-stimulating instruments.

Instruments such as jingle bells can sometimes be over-

stimulating. Avoid instruments that a child stims off of.

Don’t think that you have to be a musician.

Keep it simple! Grab a maraca and have fun!

Don’t limit your musical selections.

Try different styles of music. i.e. classical, folk, rock, pop, jazz, world music, etc.

Don’t exclude others.Once you found what works, invite some

typical peers or siblings into the mix

Thank You!

Please check out my website, video blog and store page at

www.TheRhythmTree.com