3 ways music educators can help students with autism develop their emotions

Many children with autism struggle to find the words to express how they feel. But when it comes to music, it’s an entirely different situation.

Evidence suggests children with autism may enjoy music and show an early desire for music education.

Musical emotions aren’t understood the same way as regular emotions. They don’t require complex facial expressions or a “tone of voice,” which are particularly difficult for children with autism to recognize. Musical emotions are easier for children with autism spectrum disorder to grasp because they are a less socially complex.

Music can have a positive impact on children with autism in several ways. Educators can use songs to reinforce speech in students with autism that struggle with language. One technique is to sing with vocabulary cards in order to teach vocabulary skills. Research shows that singing can considerably improve language skills in students with a type of autism that has language delays.