Can Music Therapy Help Autistic Kids Build Social Skills? What Research Shows

Many parents wonder if music therapy could help their autistic child connect with others. A 2014 study tested whether group music therapy improves social skills in children with autism. Here's what it found—and what it means for families.

What Researchers Did

Scientists worked with 17 autistic children (ages 6-12) who attended weekly group music therapy for 5 months. Sessions included:

• Singing together
• Playing instruments in rhythm with others
• Musical games requiring turn-taking

Key Findings

Children showed improvement in:

• Eye contact during musical activities
• Turn-taking with peers
• Joint attention (sharing focus on an activity)

Why This Matters

Many autistic children struggle with social connection. This study suggests music—which naturally structures timing and reciprocity—may provide a comfortable way to practice interaction. The group format is especially promising, as social skills need to be learned with others.

Practical Takeaways

If considering music therapy:

• Look for group sessions that emphasize interaction, not just individual play
• Ask about goals—therapists should target specific skills like turn-taking
• Reinforce at home—try musical games that require back-and-forth participation

Important Limitations

This was a small study without a control group (children not receiving therapy for comparison). We can't be certain improvements were caused by music alone. Larger, longer studies are needed.

Still, music therapy is low-risk and enjoyable for many kids. As one researcher noted: "When words fail, music may speak."

Read the original study here (technical language).