How Music and Movement Support Neurodivergent Individuals   

Have you ever noticed how a song or a simple movement can lift your mood?

Key Takeaways

– Music and movement support self-expression, emotional growth, and connection for individuals with autism, ADHD, and other cognitive variations.
– These therapies activate multiple brain regions, increasing motor skills, memory, and emotional regulation while reducing anxiety and stress.
– Music therapy benefits: Improves social skills, communication, and emotional expression; supports cognitive growth, attention, and executive functioning; reduces anxiety through rhythmic entrainment, stabilising heart rate and promoting relaxation.
– Movement therapy benefits: Increases coordination, balance, and sensory integration; provides nonverbal outlets for emotional expression and stress relief; activities like yoga, dance, and playful exercises promote self-regulation.
– Combined power of music and movement: Stimulates neuroplasticity, increasing brain adaptability; fosters social bonds through group activities like drumming circles and rhythmic games; encourages creativity through improvisation and collaborative projects.
– African drumming circles exemplify how music and movement build community and resilience through shared rhythm.
– Expanding access, reducing stigma, and promoting evidence-based practices will ensure these therapies reach their full potential.

AT A GLANCE

For neurodivergent individuals, these creative tools can do so much more – unlocking self-expression, fostering growth, and building meaningful connections. Neurodiversity highlights the wide range of cognitive variations in individuals, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. While these differences often come with challenges, they also bring unique perspectives, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. As society evolves to appreciate these strengths, music and movement have emerged as transformative tools that increase neurodivergent individuals’ potential and foster inclusive communities. 

The power of creativity lies in its universality. Music and movement transcend linguistic and social barriers, allowing neurodivergent individuals to express themselves authentically. Research and real-world applications increasingly demonstrate how these modalities enable growth, self-discovery, and connection. 

Neuroscience Insight

Creativity taps into the brain’s unique ability to adapt and grow. Research shows that music and movement activate multiple brain areas simultaneously, increasing motor, emotional, and cognitive connections. For instance, rhythmic activities improve coordination and memory while reducing anxiety and stress. These therapies engage the body and nurture the mind. 

Music Therapy for Neurodivergent Individuals: Connection and Growth 

Music is deeply woven into human culture and communication. For instance, for neurodivergent individuals, music is not just a form of entertainment but a channel for connection, personal expression, and development. Research continues to validate its therapeutic benefits, particularly in addressing the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face. 

Music engages multiple areas of the brain

Thanks to that, music is stimulating emotional and cognitive regions in ways other interventions cannot. Neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism, often face difficulties in expressing emotions or engaging socially. Structured music therapy provides a nonverbal medium for expression, enabling these individuals to connect with others meaningfully. For example, rhythmic exchanges like drumming in a group setting create shared experiences, fostering cooperation and empathy. 

Music therapy has many benefits

Children especially benefit from early exposure to music therapy. Studies show that group musical activities, such as singing or simple instrument playing, increase a child’s ability to interpret social cues. This is important for fostering relationships and building communication skills during formative years. 

Music supports cognitive growth

This is visible particularly in areas like memory and executive functioning. Songs with repetitive patterns, rhymes, or melodies can strengthen neural pathways associated with these skills. For individuals with ADHD, music can help regulate attention and manage hyperactivity, providing both stimulation and a calming effect. 

Music improves self-regulation

A 2023 study reported that neurodivergent children exposed to music therapy exhibited improved emotional self-regulation and reduced anxiety levels. This aligns with findings that rhythmic entrainment – synchronising the body’s internal rhythms to external musical beats – stabilises heart rates and induces relaxation​​. 

Personalisation is the key

Tailoring musical interventions to individual preferences is very important. Neurodivergent individuals often respond strongly to specific genres, tempos, or instruments. For example, therapists can use these preferences to design engaging, personalised sessions, making therapy both enjoyable and impactful. 

Music evokes memories

For children, incorporating familiar songs or melodies associated with positive memories can make therapy sessions feel safe and enjoyable. Additionally, activities such as creating custom playlists or composing simple tunes together also encourage active participation and creativity.

Benefits of Movement Therapies for Neurodiverse Children 

Movement therapies like dance, yoga, or playful exercises address a wide range of needs in neurodivergent individuals. These activities promote physical wellbeing, sensory integration, and emotional resilience while fostering a sense of freedom and agency. 

Physical movement and coordination

Physical movement is vital for overall health, but its benefits extend far beyond fitness. For neurodivergent individuals, movement helps improve coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. For instance, Dance Movement Therapy (DMT), combines physical activity with emotional expression, enabling participants to better understand and navigate their bodies. 

Boosting brain function through movement

Movement also stimulates brain regions responsible for motor planning and coordination. Activities like jumping to rhythmic beats or stretching in synchronised patterns increase neural connectivity, promoting better motor control. Additionally, movement activities can double as a playful outlet for stress. Play-based interventions, such as dancing games or obstacle courses, create joyful opportunities to develop emotional regulation skills while having fun. 

Making therapy engaging and fun

It’s important to remember that children benefit significantly from movement-based therapies that combine physical activity with fun. Simple actions, such as hopping or clapping along to songs, can strengthen gross and fine motor skills while keeping engagement high. 

A nonverbal outlet for emotional expression

Many neurodivergent individuals struggle with verbal communication, making it difficult to express complex emotions. Movement offers an alternative form of expression, enabling participants to “speak” through their bodies. Simple acts like swaying, tapping, or spinning can reflect moods and feelings that words cannot capture. 

The Synergistic Power of Music and Movement 

When combined, music and movement amplify their individual benefits, creating a multi-sensory experience that engages the body and mind in harmony. This combination is especially effective for neurodivergent individuals who benefit from interventions that stimulate multiple senses simultaneously. 

Promoting neuroplasticity

Research highlights how synchronised music and movement can promote neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself. For example, dancing to music activates both motor and auditory brain regions, increasing their connectivity. This improves skills like coordination, memory retention, and problem-solving. 

Encouraging learning and cooperation

Interactive group programs for children, such as rhythm-and-movement games, foster both learning and cooperation. Similarly, activities like following a rhythmic pattern with drums or mimicking dance steps improve cognitive flexibility while encouraging peer bonding. 

Strengthening social bonds

Music and movement together create communal experiences that strengthen social bonds. Group activities like drumming circles, dance classes, or rhythmic games encourage participants to collaborate and respond to one another. These interactions help neurodivergent individuals practice turn-taking, listening, and empathy in a low-pressure, enjoyable setting. 

Fostering creativity and self-expression

The fusion of music and movement fosters creativity by encouraging improvisation and exploration. Neurodivergent individuals often excel in innovative thinking, and these activities provide a safe space for them to experiment and express their ideas freely. 

Nurturing innovation

Creative movement exercises for children, like improvising dance moves or writing a simple song with peers, nurture their natural curiosity and ability to think outside the box. 

Practical Recommendations 

Using the transformative power of music and movement requires intentionality, planning, and collaboration among caregivers, educators, and therapists. Here are some actionable strategies to implement these creative tools effectively: 

1. Customise interventions 

Recognise that every neurodivergent individual has unique needs, preferences, and sensitivities. Tailor activities to match their sensory profile. For instance: 

• Use soft, soothing music for individuals sensitive to loud sounds. 

• Incorporate familiar or favourite songs to create a sense of comfort. 

• Adjust movement intensity to align with their energy levels and physical capabilities. 

• Incorporate storytelling or character-driven activities – such as pretending to be animals while dancing – this can make sessions more relatable and engaging. 

2. Maintain structure and routine 

Establish predictable schedules for music and movement sessions. Familiarity builds trust and reduces anxiety, enabling individuals to engage more fully. Incorporating rituals—like starting each session with the same song or activity – can help participants transition smoothly into creative tasks.  

Children benefit from routine, so including rituals, such as a welcome song or farewell activity, adds structure and increases their sense of safety. 

3. Integrate creativity across environments 

Extend music and movement beyond therapy into daily life. For example: 

• Introduce rhythmic games during classroom breaks. 

• Use movement-based exercises to teach academic concepts, like clapping out syllables in a reading lesson. 

• Incorporate dance breaks at home to reduce stress and improve focus. 

4. Encourage social participation 

Group activities provide opportunities for neurodivergent individuals to build relationships and practice social skills. Therapists and educators can design inclusive group sessions where participants collaborate on shared musical or movement-based projects. 

5. Leverage emerging technologies 

Technological advancements like virtual reality (VR) offer new ways to deliver these therapies. VR environments can simulate immersive experiences, enabling neurodivergent individuals to explore music and movement in personalised, controlled settings. A 2023 study found that VR-based interventions increased empathy and understanding among neurodiverse groups by creating interactive experiences that mirrored their sensory worlds​. 

Cultural Connection

In many cultures, music and movement are integral to healing and community building. For example, African drumming circles foster collective rhythm and connection, emphasising shared experiences over individual performance. This approach mirrors how music and movement therapies create inclusive spaces for neurodivergent individuals to express themselves and build relationships. 

Challenges and Future Directions 

While the benefits of music and movement therapies for neurodivergent individuals are well-documented, several challenges hinder their implementation. Addressing these barriers and exploring future opportunities will ensure these interventions reach their full transformative potential. 

Many families face financial and logistical barriers to accessing music and movement therapies. Expanding funding through public health initiatives, private sponsorships, and government support is essential to make these therapies available to all. Despite growing awareness of neurodiversity, societal stigma persists, often marginalising neurodivergent individuals and undervaluing creative therapies. In addition, misconceptions about their efficacy or relevance can deter schools, workplaces, and families from embracing these interventions. Targeted education campaigns and advocacy efforts can shift public perceptions, highlighting the strengths of neurodivergent individuals and the value of creative approaches in fostering growth and connection. 

More research is needed

The variability in how music and movement therapies are delivered presents a challenge for assessing their effectiveness. While existing studies support their benefits, more robust research is needed to establish standardised methodologies and measure long-term impacts. Collaborative efforts between researchers, practitioners, and neurodivergent individuals can create evidence-based guidelines that ensure consistency and effectiveness across diverse settings. 

The path forward lies in expanding the reach and impact of music and movement therapies through collaboration and innovation. Overcoming challenges and embracing future opportunities can help us use the full potential of music and movement therapies. Above all, these creative interventions have the power to transform lives, enabling neurodivergent individuals to thrive and fostering a more inclusive, compassionate society. 

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Free Resources

Music and movement can enrich daily life, promote learning, and support neurodivergent individuals in meaningful ways. To help parents, educators, and caregivers, we’ve created free resources:

• Incorporating music into daily activities – A practical guide with easy ways to integrate music into routines, from morning wake-ups to calming bedtime rituals.
• Learning and the brain – Explore how brain learns and how to increase cognitive development, attention, and memory, making learning more engaging and effective.
• 8 senses scavenger hunt – A fun activity that combines movement and sensory exploration, encouraging children to engage with their environment playfully and mindfully.

All of those resources (and more) are available for free to our subscribers. Simply sign up here, download, print and enjoy using them to support creativity and connection.

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Final Thoughts

In conclusion, music and movement are bridges to connection, self-expression, and empowerment for neurodivergent individuals. Embracing these creative modalities can help us tap into the unique strengths of neurodiversity and foster inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. Addressing barriers such as accessibility, stigma, and the need for research will expand opportunities for these interventions to transform lives. 

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References:

1. Cherewick, M., & Matergia, M. (2023). Neurodiversity in Practice: a Conceptual Model of Autistic Strengths and Potential Mechanisms of Change to Support Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing in Autistic Children and Adolescents. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 8(3), 408–422. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-023-00348-z  
2. NeuroLaunch.com. (2024, August 28). Autism and Music: How autistic children respond to melodies. https://neurolaunch.com/do-autistic-kids-like-music/  
3. Lisboa, T., Shaughnessy, C., Voyajolu, A., & Ockelford, A. (2021). Promoting the musical engagement of autistic children in the early years through a program of parental support: an Ecological Research study. Music & Science, 4. https://doi.org/10.1177/20592043211017362  
4. Megan Rhiannon (2020). Creative Differences: A handbook for embracing neurodiversity in the creative industries (Second edition), Universal Music.  
5. Kaur, H. (2023). Finding resilience through music for neurodivergent children. In OCAD University, OCAD University. https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/4161/1/Kaur_Harkirat_2023_MDes_INCD_MRP.pdf 
6. Mason, A. S., Sonke, J., & Lee, J. (2021). Drum circles and the effect on wellbeing in a community setting. UF Journal of Undergraduate Research, 23. https://doi.org/10.32473/ufjur.v23i.128335 

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