Music as an education and communication tool for students with Autism

The project is based on an educational/didactical approach, employing elaborate games with music to implement Inclusive Education. Without the need for words, music includes emotional, mental, and physical dimensions – all of which contribute to the well-being and progress of children with autism.

Problems Targeted

In general, terms, children with autism spectrum disorder lack the basic motivation to relate and interact with others. The interaction of music can stimulate the active participation of an autistic child by inducing a desire for communication that is different from the mechanical responses that he or she is instinctively led to give.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The project is based on an educational/didactical approach, employing elaborate games with music to implement Inclusive Education. Without the need for words, music includes emotional, mental, and physical dimensions – all of which contribute to the well-being and progress of children with autism. Starting with game practices, one can aim at developing a real communicative liaison using the medium of music to facilitate and develop communication through sound experiences – both with the voice and with musical instruments. Moreover, this project increases stimulating and enhancing forms of child interaction, encouraging their spontaneity, promoting inclusion in schools, enabling the development of a positive focus, and developing attitudes of solidarity, tolerance, and acceptance among peers.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

By including music in the early stages of personal development, children with autism can feel free to develop a greater level of comfort and inclusion through musical expression. The project is easily replicable at little to no cost, as it does not require the need of experts to intervene in the project; it only requires the teacher to possess musical skills and basic instruments.