feature
AUTISM
& MUSIC
EXPLODING THE MYTHS
Are people with autism all
musical geniuses? Are they
born with perfect pitch?
Can people with autism
experience emotion in
music? Do they play like
robots? There are lots of
myths about the musical
any people with autism some high-quality noise-cancelling
experience a heightened headphones for live performances.
sensitivity to loud or These will lower the overall volume
sudden noises which can impact on
without decreasing sound quality.
their ability to enjoy some types of
music. If you’ve been struggling to Musical genius
enjoy music because of heightened A small number of people with
sensitivity, there are a number of autism show outstanding musical
things you can do to make your ability. Often referred to as savants,
but autism effects people in listening experience more enjoyable. this skill can come in two forms. In
with autism are individuals, of music by listening to a recorded are true musical geniuses, able to
version before you hear it live. This easily pick up complex music at a
way you can control the volume and single hearing. Other people may
you won’t be startled by sudden loud have good musical skills which stand
passages. It also helps to be able to out in comparison to their ability to
see the musicians playing while you communicate in other ways. People
Dr Anthea Skinner explores listen, if you can see the drummer is with savant-like skills are best suited
about to hit their instrument, you’ll to playing musical instruments which
autism and music making. know when to expect the crash of the are highly logical and intuitive, such
cymbals. It’s also worth investing in as the piano or guitar.
skills of people with autism,
many different ways. People
with individual strengths
and weaknesses just like
any other members of the
community. Musicologist
some of the myths around
38
M
Sound sensitivity
autism
Familiarise yourself with a piece
some cases, people with autism
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