ASD stands for Autistic Spectrum Disorder. It acknowledges that there is a great range for people with autism, thus the word spectrum.
People on the autistic spectrum can be as varied as typical leaners. I specialize in students with ASD, LD, ADHD, and special needs. A few examples from my students will give you an idea of how extreme the ends of the spectrum can be.
One of my students is gifted. He learned to read words as he followed along as his grandparents read him stories when he was a toddler. His sight reading is excellent. He is in college now but does two one-hour lessons online per week just because he loves it.
He is currently learning a piano masterwork composition and also is learning how to comp chords from lead sheets. He’s not even a music major. His biggest challenges are organizing his schedule, socializing, and sticking to tasks.
I had another student who studied four instruments with me (piano, guitar, trumpet, and bass guitar) and earned the George Revelas Award for Music Excellence. He did not have learning issues except that anxiety would inhibit his ability to learn.
Another ASD student has about a 100-word vocabulary. Yet, he can play intermediate level piano. He needs a lot of color coding though.
Likewise, another student with a limited vocabulary also needs a ton of color coding. In addition, I do more hand-over-hand work with him than I do for most students. (If you do hand-over-hand work, make sure you ask if it’s okay before touching the student.) For him, I have to custom write his songs.
Most kids and adults with ASD fall somewhere in between, so it’s all about getting to know the student.
Not all students with ASD have issues with learning. However, if your child or student struggles with reading music, try these links:
See the posts below for full descriptions.
– Geoffrey Keith
© 2022 Geoffrey Keith
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Are you a parent or a music teacher of an ADHD student who struggles with reading music? Though many people with ADHD have a hard time reading music, multisensory teaching methods can help! Click to answer the question, “Do people with ADHD have difficulty playing from sheet music?” Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Do People with ADHD Have Difficulty Playing from Sheet Music? Read More »
Why is it important to sing the dynamics for a piece of music? Dynamics play an important role in notated music, helping bring interest and variety to your songs. If you want help understanding how dynamic signs work, click to answer the question: “Why is it important to define the dynamics to sing a piece of music?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Why is it Important to Define the Dynamics to Sing a Piece of Music? Read More »
Do your students mix up the ledger line notes? Click to learn the process of how to graduate from the color coded music notation. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
How to Graduate from the Color Coded Music Notation: Part 4 Read More »
Has your child been asking about music lessons? Have you worried about how it will go? Learning how to play an instrument will help build your child’s self-confidence and self-concept. But what types of instruments will work best with your child’s learning style? In today’s post, we’ll discuss what you should consider when selecting an instrument. Click to answer the question, “What is a good instrument for a dyslexic child to learn?” Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
What Is a Good Instrument for a Dyslexic Child to Learn? Read More »
Do you find sight reading hard to do? Have you ever asked if there is a better way to learn sight singing? Shape notes can really help. Click to answer the question, “Is there a better way to learn sight singing?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Is There a Better Way to Learn Sight Singing? Read More »
Do you have a hard time reading music? Have you ever wondered if color coding the music notes would help? Read more to find out the answer to the question, “Is there a color code for music notes?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Is There a Color Code for Music Notes? Read More »
Do visual spatial thinkers (and other neurodivergent) musicians need to have sheet music tailored to how they learn? Neurodivergent musicians learn in fundamentally different ways from typical leaners. This means that students with learning differences (LD) can greatly benefit from adapted scores. Read more to find out how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Does 12-8 time signature make your eyes cross? Confused about how rhythm syllables work in compound meters? The sing-along soundtrack below will help! Read more to learn about singing rhythm syllables in 12-8 time. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Singing Rhythm Syllables in 12-8 Time Read More »
Do you want to sing blues, gospel, or even mediaeval melodies? Are you confused about how modes work? Modes have the exotic feel of world music and music from ancient times. “Singing Shape Note Solfege Mixolydian Melodies” helps you discover the sound of the modes. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Singing Shape Note Solfege Mixolydian Melodies Read More »
Has your child has been diagnosed with a learning disability? Do you feel confused because your child is so smart, but still struggles to learn? Read more to learn about learning differences and spatial ability. Estimated reading time 6 minutes.
Learning Differences and Spatial Ability: Part 1 Read More »