AUTISM THERAPY
while keeping his attention solely on her. When she
changed the beat, stopped the song, or asked him
to follow her around the room, he did, without argu-
ment or distraction. As his mother, who knows all his
quirks intimately, I was amazed.
Music, when combined with autism’s unique traits,
has the power to “magically unlock” abilities buried
deep within children on the autism spectrum. For
example, music therapy research findings demon-
strate that individuals with autism may show equal
or superior abilities in pitch processing, labeling of
emotions in music, and musical preference when
compared to typically developing peers. Most no-
tably, however, while neurotypical, musically gifted
children display a number of distinguishing char-
acteristics similar to children on the spectrum, one
stands out—their abilities to memorize.
Musical potential is also measured by an individu-
al’s sensitivity to the physical and emotional aspects
of sound, or the ability to “think in sound,” a trait of-
ten reported by older individuals with autism who
are able to comprehend and express their learning
strengths. It’s what I suggested earlier of my son.
When music is present, I see his face shift, his eyes
focus, and the thoughts running wild in his mind.
There are few clear answers to our many autism-relat-
ed questions. I constantly find myself wondering what
“caused” my son’s brain to work the way it does or try-
ing new methods for regulating or erasing some of his
unwanted behaviors. I don’t expect music therapy to
be a cure because I don’t believe a cure exists. My son
is who he is. However, I can put him in environments
where he shines, where his strengths take precedence
over his faults. Given his affinity for music, I’m eager
and excited to begin music therapy and to watch him
blossom in ways we cannot yet imagine.
Lindsay Diamond is a Colorado-based freelance
writer and novelist who writes travel, fiction, and
about raising two boys with Asperger’s and ADHD.
When she’s not writing, she’s seeking the nearest
aspen grove or mountain bike trail.
Website: https://lindsay-diamond.com/