Music & Autism

For me, Music has been a game changer for me, when I feel low, or when I want a pick me up, Music is the answer! There are so many types of music I really like. From the Live DJ Sets Of SunAna (https://www.tiktok.com/@wearesunana?_r=1&_t=ZN-96WrlOSzRu2 ) to The Amazing Symphony Of Unity. These are just some of the music I know and I love. Let’s Dig in a little deeper. All links for the music tracks can be listen to via Apple Music or searchable via your music platform.

Music has long been a universal language, but for individuals on the autism spectrum, the impact can be uniquely powerful. Autistic Research and anecdotal experiences show that Different types of music can influence mood, support social interaction, and even enhance cognitive development in individuals on the spectrum.

The Effects of Different Types of Music

Classical Music: Studies suggest that classical music, especially pieces with predictable patterns and gentle rhythms, can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, Like The Symphony Of Unity for example, their music combines dance music with a powerful of the orchestra which really gives the feels away.

Upbeat or Pop Music: Catchy, repetitive tunes can encourage movement, dancing, and engagement, which may help in developing motor skills and social expression. There are many Pop Music I like that include this type of vibe, such as the 00’s for me and even Taylor Swift (guilty pleasure for me).

Instrumental Tracks: Music without lyrics often provides a non-overstimulating environment, allowing autistic listeners to focus on sound patterns and emotional cues. one word come to mind when I think of instrumental tracks “Lofi” when I need some wind down time, I listen to lofi, there’s an artist comes to mind Lofi Fruits Music & Chill Fruits Music, They recreate upto date music into a calm and peaceful relaxing music, Perfect For Unwinding and taking it slow. Have a listen to their recreation of the dance classic Lola’s theme here  (https://music.apple.com/gb/album/lolas-theme/1577239906?i=1577239907 ).

Nature-Inspired or Ambient Music: Sounds of nature or soft ambient soundscapes can have a calming effect, especially for those sensitive to overstimulation. When I used to go to Secondary school I was at a special needs school (SEN) & they played this type of music to help us concentrate with our work and this helped us with exam preparation and much more. I can’t remember what they used to play but it really helps.

How Music Aids in Understanding

For some autistic individuals, music can act as a bridge to understanding emotions and social cues. Melody, rhythm, and tempo changes can help differentiate feelings like excitement, sadness, or calmness.

When approached with intention, Music can become a powerful ally in improving the quality of life for autistic individuals, helping them process emotions and interact with the world on their own terms.

Here’s what I’m listening too to help me being me and what it means to me as an autistic person -

Purple Disco Machine feat Knocks - Fireworks (https://music.apple.com/gb/album/fireworks-feat-moss-kena-the-knocks/1610644382?i=1610644844) - When I think of fireworks, I normally think of Katy Perry, Not this one, PDM (short for purple disco machine) when I was sitting in a bar in Tenerife and I heard this for the first time, It was a feel good song to get me in the mood & in this song it’s true, we just want some better days and better tomorrows!

Damiano David Feat. Tyla & Nile Rodgers - Talk To Me (https://music.apple.com/gb/album/talk-to-me-feat-tyla-nile-rodgers/1842154547?i=1842154548) - Ahh Damiano David, the Italian hottie poster boy 😂 (if your gay you know) The Front man of the band Of Mannskin he’s gone solo you know & this song talk to me really gets to me, it wants me to talk and enjoy myself and Nile Rodger’s guitar solo in this is really awesome, I first heard this song on HIT FM and that’s the story ever since, they kept playing it on repeat.

L’Impératrice - Vanille fraise (https://music.apple.com/gb/album/vanille-fraise/1216604316?i=1216604808) - Ahh French chillout music, Vanille Fraise means Fresh Vanilla, I first heard this at a barbers in Manchester of all the places which I just fell in love with, before I heard it again on my AirFrance flight from Los Angeles which gave me goosebumps when they played it upon landing in Paris, which made my flight aha.

Nothing Scares Me Anymore - Steve Angello, Sam Martin (https://music.apple.com/gb/album/nothing-scares-me-anymore/1357121396?i=1357121668) - One of things I really like is a song that has a powerful lyrics and has words that could mean so much to myself, and this is one of them, I first heard this on Tomorrowland anthems which is a radio station that’s dedicated to the festival & this song reminds me of an autistic person who isn’t scared of anything that comes in my way, I’m on a mission to show people that anyone with autism can do anything when they put their mind to it.

Best Of Me - ArtBat and  Sailor&I (https://music.apple.com/gb/album/best-of-me/1645306813?i=1645306814) - Best of me is another song I heard on Tomorrowland anthems, this song is another song that has powerful lyrics and powerful drops in the song, like nothing scares me anymore, this song has a message “the best of me is you” you as a person helps me be the best. Shiver - John Summit & Hayla (https://music.apple.com/gb/album/shiver/1748171781?i=1748171788) - You know that feeling that the hairs on your skin go up when you hear a song? Well shivers does this and you make me shiver! Another song I heard on the Tomorrowland anthems archives.

Runaway (You&I) - Galantis (https://music.apple.com/gb/album/runaway-u-i/921960476?i=921960478)- If you watch the music video for this track they had some quotes that reminds me of myself, I recently used this in a speech last year (the article for this is coming soon to the Autism & Adam blog), the quote used was the following “but It’s a lonely city, sometimes I walk all night without being seen” and that’s one of the ways I describe my autism.

All That Matters - The Symphony Of Unity (https://music.apple.com/gb/album/all-that-matters/1888126068?i=1888126072) - When I mentioned earlier about classical music gives you the feels and emotions, this song does it all, when I first discovered the symphony of unity via TikTok I just cried, not in a bad a way, in a way I got all the feels in a very emotional way, the way, that I want to listen to it again and again. All that I care about that you are always safe.

Breathe In - Artbat & Another Life (https://music.apple.com/gb/album/breathe-in/1689322455?i=1689322673) - This is your reminder to breathe in, when I’m in a mood where everything goes wrong Artbat turns it all around for me to make me feel better, with simple lyrics that make me feel all new and ready for face all the challenges that an autistic individual has faced.

Faded - Alan Walker (https://music.apple.com/gb/album/faded/1445140820?i=1445141316) - Another song I used the lyrics in my autism speech, when I think of this song, it also describes my autism, I’m faded, I’m lost, I’m faded. Like no one sees the struggles this autistic person goes through on a daily basis. And sometimes the monsters are running wild inside of me when I’m struggling and I describe this during my speech.

For me, I love all types of music but this is just a selection of a few songs i absolutely love and I even cry when I hear some of them! Let me know what’s your favourite song from the little list I composed.