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How Music Supports Students With Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Poppins Team
Poppins Team |

Music has always been more than art — it’s a universal language that connects, calms, and motivates. Recent research shows it can also be a powerful tool for supporting children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, communication disorders, and dyslexia.

What the Research Says

A systematic review of 39 studies (1,774 participants) examined the impact of music therapy for children and teens with NDDs. The findings were encouraging:

  • Educational music therapy (structured activities like rhythm games, singing, or instrument practice) was linked to improvements in speech production, phonological awareness, and reading skills.

  • Improvisational music therapy (where children create and respond to music in real time) showed benefits for social interaction, joint attention, and emotional engagement.

  • Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) often showed the strongest response.

Preliminary evidence suggests that rhythm-based training may support students with dyslexia, particularly by strengthening phonological processing — a key predictor of reading success.

Why Music Works

Music taps into multiple areas of the brain at once: auditory, motor, memory, and emotion. For students who struggle with traditional reading or communication pathways, music provides an alternative route for learning and engagement. Rhythm, in particular, supports timing, sequencing, and attention — all essential skills for literacy and learning.

Classroom Takeaways for Educators

  • Integrate rhythm and movement into early literacy practice to strengthen phonological awareness.

  • Leverage music for engagement — even short rhythmic games can improve attention and motivation for students who struggle with focus.

  • Pair music with reading interventions: Singing directions, clapping syllables, or using percussion alongside phonics instruction can make instruction stick.

  • Consider evidence-based digital tools: Programs like Poppins are building on this research by embedding rhythm-based activities into accessible, game-like practice for students with dyslexia and other NDDs.

Why This Matters

For students with dyslexia or other learning differences, traditional interventions alone are not always enough. By combining science, music, and technology, educators and therapists can open new pathways for reading and communication growth — while also boosting confidence and joy in learning.

Bottom line: The evidence is growing — music isn’t just a motivator, it’s a scientifically backed support for students with learning differences.

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