What Is Music Therapy? How It Supports Children with Autism, ADHD, and More
Have you ever seen your child light up when a favorite song comes on? Or how a steady beat can help them calm down, get moving, or even laugh out loud? That’s not just coincidence—it’s the incredible power of music.
As a music therapist, I get to witness how music connects with children in ways that words sometimes can’t. For kids with special needs, music can be more than just something fun—it can be a lifeline. In this post, I want to walk you through what music therapy is, how it works, and how it might help your child grow in ways that feel natural, joyful, and meaningful.
So… What Is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is a professional, evidence-based practice where board-certified music therapists (like me!) use music to help people meet non-musical goals. These goals might be social, emotional, physical, cognitive, or communication-based—it really depends on what the child needs.
In the U.S., music therapists go through specific training, internships, and board certification. But beyond that, we’re people who love using music to connect. We sing, play, improvise, and adapt in real time to support your child where they are.
How It Can Help Your Child
Every child is wonderfully unique, which means every music therapy session is, too. A board-certified music therapist takes time to assess and understand your child—their strengths, needs, interests, and personality. From there, we create music-based experiences tailored specifically to support their growth.
🗣️ For Communication
If your child loves “Wheels on the Bus,” a therapist might pause mid-song and wait for them to fill in a word or sound. These little gaps are actually big opportunities—especially for kids working on speech, vocalizations, or expressive communication. Even for children who are non-verbal, music therapy creates space for communication—through gestures, signs, AAC devices, letter board, or simply choosing instruments to make meaningful choices.
🤝 For Social Skills
Music has a special way of bringing people together. In a session, your child might take turns playing an instrument, echo a rhythm, or participate in a simple song game. These moments may seem small, but they help build foundational skills like turn-taking, making eye contact, and connecting with others.
💓 For Emotional Expression
Not all feelings come out in words. Music gives kids another way to show how they feel. A child might choose a soft lullaby when they’re tired, or bang on a drum to let out frustration. Over time, these musical choices can help them become more aware of their emotions and find healthy ways to express them.
But Why Music?
Music lights up the brain in so many areas at once—movement, memory, emotions, language. It’s especially helpful for kids with autism, ADHD, sensory needs, or developmental delays, because it creates a multisensory bridge between the child and the world around them.
And let’s be honest—music is fun. That fun becomes a powerful motivator. When kids enjoy what they’re doing, they’re more likely to engage, try something new, or stick with something challenging. Even if the goal isn’t “fun,” it’s still a really important part of the process.
A Gentle Note to Parents
If you’re wondering whether music therapy might help your child, please know this: your child doesn’t need to be musical, and you don’t need to have all the answers right now. You don’t need to read music, play an instrument, or know what to expect. All that matters is that your child responds to music in some way.
The rest? That’s what I’m here for.
I’ve worked with kids of all ages and abilities, and I believe every child deserves a safe space to be seen, heard, and supported. Music therapy isn’t about turning your child into a musician—it’s about using music to help them thrive in their own way.
Let’s Connect
If something in this post resonated with you and you’re curious to learn more, I’d love to connect. You can visit www.atherapeuticmelody.com and fill out the Contact Me form, or feel free to email me directly at alice@atherapeuticmelody.com. I'm always happy to answer questions, listen to your story, and help you explore whether music therapy might be the right support for your child and your family.
Thanks for reading—I'm so glad you're here. 💛
