*This guest blog post was written by Alyssa Stone, MM, MT-BC, NMT, our Guest Speaker at this month's CAYRgiver Circle meetup, and edited by Megan McCoy M.Ed, board member of CAYR Connections.
RSVP for the March meetup at the link below!
As a board-certified music therapist specializing in working with autistic and neurodivergent individuals, I have seen firsthand how music can unlock potential,
foster joy, and create meaningful connections.
In this guide, we’ll explore how music therapy works, why it is uniquely suited for
neurodivergent kids, and how parents can integrate music into their child’s daily life to enhance skills and well-being. Plus, I’ll share my top 10 tips and tricks for using music at home to support your child’s development.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is a powerful, evidence-based, and research-backed tool that supports communication, social strategies, attentional control, executive functioning, and mental health in neurodivergent children.
Music therapists use music to achieve goals within a therapeutic relationship. While listening to music can be therapeutic in itself, a music therapist actively structures and creates music-based interventions to address specific needs such as communication, social interaction, sensory processing, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and more. Music therapy is rooted in both science and creativity - harnessing the neurological impact of music while making therapy engaging, accessible, and fun!
Why Music Therapy is Ideal for Neurodivergent Individuals
Music therapy offers a strength-based, neuro-affirming approach that embraces individuals as they are. Through music, we can:
Engage in sensory regulation and integration by using rhythm, melody, and movement to support the nervous system.
Provide a total communication approach for those who might not use spoken language to communicate their wants, needs, and interests.
Develop executive function skills like self-regulation, working memory, and problem-solving in a natural, engaging way.
Support mental health and emotional well-being by offering a safe space for self-expression and connection.
Create a judgment-free space where neurodivergent children can unmask, be their authentic selves, and thrive.
Music Therapy & Communication Skills
Music can serve as a supportive means of expression. Music therapy provides a structured yet flexible way to support social interactions in a positive, affirming way. Through shared musical experiences, children can:
Practice spoken language with melodic intonation and therapeutic singing
Honor non-speaking communication like gestures, body movement, and facial expressions in response to or in connection with music
Facilitate fluency and speech production using rhythm and melody
Learn about collaborative turn-taking through call-and-response songs and rhythm games
Engage in collaborative group music-making
Collaborate and practice teamwork through interactive music activities such as songwriting, music production, and making music videos.
Explore social cognitive strategies through music-based storytelling and role-playing exercises.
Music naturally fosters connection and engagement, making it a powerful medium for connection in a low-pressure, inclusive environment.
Music Therapy & Executive Functioning Skills
Executive functioning refers to the cognitive processes that help individuals plan, organize, regulate emotions, and interact with the world. Music therapy strengthens executive function skills by:
Using rhythmic patterns to improve working memory and attention.
Encouraging decision-making and problem-solving through musical games and improvisation.
Teaching self-regulation strategies through structured music interventions.
Music Therapy & Mental Health
Neurodivergent individuals often face mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and sensory overload. Music therapy can be a therapeutic outlet that:
Creates a space for self-expression without words.
Uses guided relaxation techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.
Fosters social connection and confidence through shared music-making experiences.
By incorporating music into daily life, we can help children build resilience and emotional well-being.
Top 10 Tips & Tricks for Using Music at Home
Parents can harness the power of music therapy at home to support their child’s growth and happiness. Here are 10 easy, research-backed ways to incorporate music into your daily routine:
Sing Directions – Sung words are processed through different auditory processes in the brain and that novel auditory input can help children attend to directions.
Use Rhythm for Routine – Create musical cues (e.g., a cleanup song) to help with transitions and daily tasks.
Try Call-and-Response Songs – This encourages turn-taking and improves social reciprocity.
Create a Sensory-Friendly Jam Session – Let your child explore different instruments or sounds to regulate sensory needs as well as provide opportunities for supported recreation and leisure skill building.
Use Music for Relaxation – Create a playlist to support down-regulation by starting with songs with an up-tempo that decreases in speed to match the regulation rate of your child.
Encourage Movement with Music – Dancing or drumming can help with motor coordination, bilateral skill development, motor imitation, sequencing, and so much more.
Explore the Ocean Drum for Sensory Input – The soothing sound and vibration engage auditory, visual, and tactile senses.
Use Favorite Songs for Motivation – Embed preferred music into challenging activities to increase engagement, and provide cues for attentional control and task initiation.
Engage in Musical Storytelling – Sing or play what you’re seeing in the world around you. Add sound effects to activities of daily living. Musical play and narration can build expressive and receptive language skills.
Make Music Social – Encourage family jam sessions or music-based playdates to foster connection and teamwork.
Music therapy is a joyful, effective, and accessible tool that helps neurodivergent children build essential life skills while embracing their unique strengths. By integrating music into daily life, parents can create enriching experiences that promote communication, social skills, executive functioning, and emotional well-being.
If you’re interested in exploring music therapy for your child, I encourage you to seek a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) near you at cbmt.org. Together, we can make music a powerful tool for growth and connection!
For more resources and music therapy-based activities, visit Dynamic Lynks. Let’s make music a part of your child’s journey!
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