Music Therapy for Children with Autism: Social Skills, Language, and Development

Article Overview

Music therapy is increasingly being explored as a supportive intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder, especially in areas related to social communication and language. In this 2025 randomized controlled trial, researchers examined whether adding music therapy to standard care could improve social skills in children with ASD. The study included 29 children, with 15 in the music therapy group and 14 in the control group.

The music therapy program was delivered in small groups of 3–5 children, for 30 minutes, three times a week, over 12 weeks. According to the abstract, children in the music therapy group showed significantly better outcomes in social communication, speech/language/communication, sociability, and the social domain of developmental assessment compared with the control group. The authors conclude that music therapy may be an effective complement to regular social skills training, while the small sample size means the findings should still be interpreted with appropriate caution.

Why This Matters

This article matters because social communication, language, and relationship-building are central concerns for many children with autism and their families. The study suggests that music therapy may support these areas in a structured, child-centered format that combines musical activities with social skills work. That gives your library a research article that is both highly relevant to families and strong for search terms related to autism, social skills, language development, and music therapy.

It is also useful to frame the study transparently. This was a randomized controlled trial, which is a stronger design than many descriptive or conceptual papers, but it was still a small study with only 29 participants. In addition, the intervention was described as being led by an occupational therapist and combining social skills training with musical activities, so it is best presented as a promising structured intervention rather than definitive proof about all music therapy approaches for autism.

Zhou, Z., Zhao, X., Yang, Q., Zhou, T., Feng, Y., Chen, Y., Chen, Z., & Deng, C. (2025). A randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of music therapy on the social skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 158, 104942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104942

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Studies of Two Men and a Woman Teaching a Child to Walk, Nicolaes Maes, Circle of Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn), 1645–50

Clinicians’ Views of Music Therapy: Emotional Support, Communication, and Quality of Life

Article Overview

This 2024 qualitative study explores clinicians’ views of music therapy for hospitalized children and adolescents. Published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, the study used two focus groups with 18 healthcare professionals after an interactive music therapy session to examine how clinicians perceived the role of music therapy in pediatric hospital care.

Clinicians described music therapy as supportive of emotional support, communication, coping, and quality of life for children and adolescents in the hospital. They also identified benefits related to emotional expression, family support, and the overall care experience, suggesting that music therapy may contribute to more relational and holistic pediatric care.

Why This Matters

This article matters because it shows how clinicians in pediatric hospital settings view music therapy as part of patient care. While the study does not measure clinical outcomes directly, it offers valuable insight into how music therapy is recognized by professionals working with hospitalized children and adolescents every day.

For a public-facing music therapy library, this article helps explain that music therapy in hospitals is not simply entertainment. According to clinicians in the study, music therapy may support emotional support, communication, coping, and quality of life in pediatric care. That makes it a strong supporting article for families, hospitals, and referral sources interested in child and adolescent music therapy.

Barrio, M., Moreno-Mulet, C., Romero-García, M., & Ríos-Risquez, M. I. (2024). Healthcare professionals’ perceptions towards music therapy for hospitalized children and adolescents: A qualitative study. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 79, e191–e198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2024.07.022

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Woman and Child, Kate Greenaway, 1883