Autistic listener's felt responses to music is (statistically) normal. Of course there are a diversity of autism phenomena. But in what are called “high-functioning” cases of autism, the musical response, as measured by GSR, was not significantly different from the non-autistic control group.
Since then, researchers have systematically studied the musical processing abilities of individuals with autism and have shown that while language may sometimes be deficient, these individuals process music similarly to typically developing individuals."
Different factors are likely to influence music preferences in ASD. Symptom severity, verbal ability, spatial reasoning and age may influence musical taste in ASD, especially in terms of understanding musical content and using music for social bonding.
Music therapy is used in many medical conditions such as Alzheimer's, depression, and autism. It has shown a positive effect in improving the learning behavior of the patients. Autistic children and adults need more of our attention and compassion.
Children with ASD are motivated to engage in music activities and it can be a preferred medium to operate within. They thrive within structure and music fulfills this need for structure and routine. First of all, children with ASD seem to enjoy musical experiences because they are often “good at it”.
People whose brain works differently often experience sounds, including music, in unique ways. As a neurodivergent person, I experience sound differently than other people. I was born with hyperacusis. Sounds that are at a normal volume to most people sometimes seem extremely loud and distorted to me.
Pattern thinkers are in some ways, visual thinkers who instead of thinking in distinct images, see patterns in design, math, music and more in their day to day lives.
The first (and so far only) study of subjective experiences of music in autistic adults was done by Allen et al., (2009). The authors found that autistic adults most often use music to alter or match their moods and as a therapeutic tool (e.g., to ease emotional pain).
Improves communication
Music helps autistic children communicate better as it's non-verbal, and it eliminates verbal expression barriers. Thus, music allows autistic children to express themselves without the use of words. Music also helps improve your child's vocabulary, verbalization, and vocalization.
The brains of children with autism search for meaning in the world and are naturally attracted to music. If children with autism process speech as music, and music is highly repetitive, it's understandable for these children to repeat what they hear.
An autistic person will feel emotions and will want to communicate emotions to those around them. However, it is not uncommon to encounter difficulties in expressing oneself. Indeed, people with autism spectrum disorder will encounter certain obstacles in recognizing various facial expressions.
Children with ASD who are engaged in music experiences long-term have shown larger corpus callosum, frontal, temporal, and motor areas [19]. Both active music-making and receptive music engagement have cognitive benefits for children with ASD—mainly sustained attention, memory, and enhanced verbal communication [20].
The popular image of a person with autism is a quiet, isolated individual who prefers solitude to social interaction. This is often true, but by no means always the case. While autistic people, by definition, have challenges with social communication, many enjoy social interaction, group activities, and friendships.
Many people affected by autism like to review conversations to themselves. This can include repeating lines from their favorite movies, TV shows or YouTube channels. We call this “scripting.” It's a common repetitive behavior that can be a source of comfort when the person is anxious or excited.
So, on the lighter side of things, I'm not entirely sure what the explanation is for it, but repetitively listening to the same song over and over seems to be a common trait in Autistic people.
Therefore, it appears that while some individuals may be aware they are autistic, others may not fully understand why they have difficulties connecting with people socially or engaging in conversation - yet still realize they are 'different.
Studies in 2019 found that listening to binaural beats improves focus and cognition and promotes relaxation. In addition, a 2014 review found that music-based therapy incorporating binaural beats supported social interaction, non-verbal communication, and the ability to express emotion in people on the autism spectrum.
Noise reduction headphones reduce the actual noise level (decibels) that the ears process but does not completely eliminate noise altogether. For children with auditory sensitivities, this enables them to participate in potentially loud environments without being overstimulated by the sounds around them.
Music therapists say music with a strong beat, simple structure, and easy lyrics do best. According to Autism Connect, songs that may help with autism include: “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.
Research has found that people with autism have average or above average abilities in identifying the emotions present in music. So people with autism can connect with the emotional aspects of music which can be very therapeutic for them. They can use music to express their emotions.
While cognitive empathy can be lower in people with autism, affective empathy—which is based on instincts and involuntary responses to the emotions of others—can be strong and overwhelming. In fact, newer research suggests that some people with autism may actually feel other people's emotions more intensely.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects the way people think and communicate with others. A preference for logical thinking is a characteristic of autism in many people. Not all autistic people lean on logic to guide their thinking, though.
Savants with autism typically show amazing skill within one or more general ability domains. Mathematical, artistic, musical, spatial and mechanical abilities are most common. Most savants have a single skills but some have been reported to have more than one.
Autistic people may display a range of strengths and abilities that can be directly related to their diagnosis, including: Learning to read at a very early age (known as hyperlexia). Memorising and learning information quickly. Thinking and learning in a visual way.
You absolutely are neurodivergent if you have been diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or Tourette's syndrome. You may decide to consider yourself neurodivergent if you have no diagnosis but think, behave, or interact in ways that are outside the norm.