Drumming for Autism

Since April is Autism Awareness Month, it compels us to talk about the increasing popularity of drum therapy and the positive impact it can have on those with autism. Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. Although there is no known cure, music therapy, and in particular, drum therapy, has been shown to significantly improve socialization as well as reduce anxiety and behavioral problems.

Drum Therapy-Why it Works:

When a person drums, they access more of their right brain, which controls emotions, intuition, creativity, and relaxation. This is of particular benefit to the individual with autism, as it can provide a type of neurological restructuring for the systematically-focused brain.

Music therapy and especially drum therapy utilizes special hand-eye coordination, vestibular movement, and visual perception. The tactile striking of the drum helps the person learn necessary placement and movement of the body. The patterned approach of drumming also allows the autistic patient to channel his or her repetitive behavior in a healthy and stress-relieving way. In addition, the group nature of drumming promotes language skills such as categorization, sequencing, predicting, turn-taking, problem-solving, and following directions. Drumming groups also offer a level of social interaction in a structured environment that other peer groups simply take for granted. All of these benefits in turn help to promote positive self-esteem, which is especially helpful to the autistic person.

When introducing drum therapy for your child, it can be helpful to start out slow. Start by having a drum at home that they can practice on at their liesure--a hand drum such as a djembe is frequently the percussion instrument of choice. Once he or she feels more comfortable and confident with the instrument, it can then be helpful to take it to a group setting where the child can then reap the benefits thereof.

Resources:

http://nurse-practitioners-and-physician-assistants.advanceweb.com/Features/Articles/Drumming-for-Autism-Therapy.aspx

http://drummingforautism.org/

http://www.coda.org.uk/tag/music-therapy