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