Music Can Be Key for Regulation

For our parents, caregivers, teachers, therapists and friends of our neurodiverse kiddos and adults who have more significant regulation needs that come along with autism… music is your best friend for regulation!!!

I am a parent of a currently non-speaking 13 year old young man diagnosed with level 3 (severe) autism.

Just before I put the music on my son was very unregulated - pacing back and forth along the deck, very loud vocal stimming (making loud vocal noises), was clearly uneasy and he would come to me to apply some deep pressure to his arms or a hug but then that didn’t help so I needed to find another way to help my son. I thought.. music.... let’s try some music… that helps… and… it worked!!!! 👏 🙏

As soon as I played some music my son danced side to side then sat down, ate some popcorn and was visably comfortable, regulated and enjoying the music… instantaneously…. just like that!!

The music I put on for my son was from the band Daughtry but any music your child likes will do… if you don’t know what they like just play what you like and try from there!

Over the years, I often forgot how regulating music can be to our loved ones who have more challenging sensory needs so this is my reminder to all today…. Music doesn’t always work but it does work more than 90 percent of the time so that is worth finding some music, pairing up a speaker or even pulling out your guitar, piano or other musical instrument (for those musically talented - that’s, sadly, not me 😭) and just seeing what magic music can bring 🙏 🎶 💃 🕺 👏