The Effects of Music Therapy on Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication, repetitive stereotyped behaviors, and sensory abnormalities. At present, there is no radical cure, and functional improvement mainly relies on educational and behavioral interventions. Due to common problems such as language difficulties, emotional anxiety, and insufficient social motivation in patients, traditional intervention methods are often difficult to implement effectively. With its non‑verbal, structured, rhythmically stable, and emotionally arousing features, music has become an important intervention approach suitable for individuals with autism. Through melody, rhythm, singing, instrumental performance, and other forms, music therapy bypasses language pressure to improve emotional regulation, social interaction, joint attention, and behavioral control. Meanwhile, it promotes brain functional integration through neuroplasticity, improving sensory integration and the willingness to express. In recent years, relevant studies have gradually shifted from early clinical observations to mechanism exploration and intervention verification, advancing continuously in effectiveness, action pathways, and intervention models, aiming to provide a safer, more acceptable, and more easily accessible non‑pharmacological intervention for autism. This paper primarily examines the effects of music therapy on patients with autism, including its impacts on attention, emotion, and social interaction. The second part of the study examines the current status of music therapy in autism intervention, including case studies, existing challenges, and suggestions for improving implementation.