Children with Autism & Music Therapy

Written By Anna Laura McAfee, MMT, MT-BC

Within the pediatric and healthcare world, autism is a common phrase and diagnosis. All too often, parents of children with a new diagnosis of autism end up with more questions than answers: What does this mean? What will the future look like? How can I best support my child? Music therapy may provide a space that allows your child to embrace their strengths and support them as they work through challenges.

Music therapy can promote communication, social skills, emotional regulation, and can encourage self-determination in children with autism (Gadberry & Harrison, 2016). Music and music-based interventions can provide opportunities for children to express themselves in ways other than verbal communication, make choices, and allow them the freedom and space to explore their true selves. Group music therapy can provide a safe, structured, inclusive, and fun environment for children to practice social skills with their peers. Additionally, the 2022 Cochrane review of research literature on music therapy for autistic people revealed that music therapy often leads to an overall increase in quality of life. 

At Empower Music Therapy, we often work with autistic children while focusing on many of these areas. We prioritize individual uniqueness and strengths, while also working to improve health and wholeness. Our team looks to research to find evidence-based practices to support those we work with while also providing an open, accepting, and comforting space to explore, create, and empower.

Anna Laura McAfee, MMT, MT-BC

Hiya! I’m Anna Laura, a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) in Nashville, TN. I’m from Western Arkansas, which is where I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of Central Arkansas with minors in interdisciplinary studies and psychology. During my bachelor's degree, I completed research on using music therapeutically with older adults with dementia and their family caregivers. In August 2018, I began the music therapy equivalency and master’s degree program at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. During the equivalency portion of my studies, I explored individual and group-based music therapy in older adult residential facilities, special education classrooms, after-school programs for teenagers, adult medical settings, and residential facilities for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). In December 2020, I completed my internship at Opportunities for Positive Growth in Marion, Indiana, where I provided individual and group music therapy for children, teenagers, young adults, adults, and older adults with I/DD, autism, and neurocognitive disorders.

After internship, I returned to Appalachian State to complete my master’s degree in music therapy (MMT). During my graduate coursework, my focus was mainly on promoting self-determination and self-advocacy in teenagers and young adults with I/DD who communicate in extraverbally/nonverbally. I have taken courses in play therapy, special education, and child and adolescent therapy. I have also completed a graduate practicum promoting social skills with neurodiverse college students post-COVID quarantine. In December 2021 I completed my thesis titled “Promoting Self-Determination in Individuals with I/DD who Communicate Extraverbally: Reflections and Implications for Practice”.

I have professional experience working in public schools, assisted living facilities, and inpatient and outpatient psychiatric hospitals, focusing on academic, emotional, social, and communicative strengths and areas for potential growth.

I am passionate about disability rights and self-advocacy, and my main emphasis as a clinician is to help promote autonomy and self-determination, build a trusting and therapeutic relationship, and to help provide a space in the music for people to be themselves and express who and where they are.

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Adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities & Music Therapy
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Music Therapy and Neurodiversity