The Role of Extracurriculars for Children With Autism

While group settings and active play have been shown to be important outlets for children with autism, recent studies are revealing that one extracurricular activity which many had assumed was beneficial may be less important than previously thought. Music therapy is used for many different patients struggling with many different conditions, but based on recent data, music does little to help children with autism. Typically, involvement with music has been shown to improve flexibility, responsiveness and attention span, and social and communication skills. Based on recent studies of children with autism involved in music, the discipline actually as a minimal or negligible effect on these developmental areas in autistic individuals.