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Table of Contents
Tips for Teaching an Autistic Child the Guitar #1: Learning Style
Are you a teacher of an autistic guitar student? Each student has a unique learning style. Autistic students are no different, which means you need to be flexible when teaching kids on the autistic spectrum. Read more to get tips for teaching an autistic child the guitar.
This post uses music terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the article.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission from purchases made through the links. I’ll only recommend products I use, use in lessons, or ones my students or colleagues have recommended.
Tips for Teaching an Autistic Child the Guitar #2: The Teaching Strategies Are…
How do you teach an autistic child the guitar?
It bears repeating, not all students on the autistic spectrum have the same abilities.
- Some students will learn and communicate much like a typical learner. However, others will have very little vocabulary and need a multisensory approach.
- Moreover, students who communicate well may still struggle with learning music. You can even find students who have profound communication issues but will still have a talent for learning music.
- So, you never really know what you’re going to get until you start working with the student.
You need patience when working with autistic students.
- Celebrate successes and progress even if they don’t seem like big gains to you.
- Use positive reinforcement by giving high fives and appropriate praise. However, your praise must be genuine, or the kids will see right through you.
- Be aware that autistic students may have a tendency toward black and white thinking.
Building a helpful and encouraging lesson environment can boost your student’s self-confidence and desire to learn.
More useful tips:
- Be understanding and patient with any social awkwardness.
- Allow some tangents, but don’t let them get out of hand.
- Also, some kids will need periodic micro-breaks during the lessons to keep them fresh and on task.
These are the guitar books I use when I teach lessons.
Young Beginner Method Books
Older Beginner Method Book
Teens and Adults Method Book
Rock Guitar Tab Method Book
For many kids on the spectrum, adapting sheet music using color coding will be a game-changer.
Tips for Teaching an Autistic Child the Guitar #3: Summary
Here’s some final thoughts on Tips for Teaching an Autistic Child the Guitar.
Tailor your teaching to your student’s needs.
- Just as typical learners can vary in how they learn, autistic students will also have varying learning needs.
- While some autistic students will do just fine learning with traditional teaching methods, others will benefit from a multisensory approach.
- Be aware of the social aspects of autism and forgive unintended student gaffes.
- Permit some tangent-questions, but don’t let it get out of control.
- Be aware that some students will need micro-breaks during the lessons in order to focus when you need them to.
- Be sure to give four praise comments to every critical comment.
- You need to remain open-minded and flexible by adjusting your teaching style to meet the needs of your student.
Have fun teaching!
Related Posts:
- What Do You Think of the Chord Buddy for Special Needs Guitarists?
- Is Playing the Piano a Suitable Activity for Autistic People?
- How to Graduate from Color Coded Music Notes: Part I
- Playing the Piano with Color Coded Notes
- Color Coded Quarter Note Clapping
- Color Coding Music for Success
- Lego Rhythm Manipulatives
© 2023 Geoffrey Keith
Glossary
The Gifted Dyslexic and Insight Learning (Part 4)
Have you ever wondered if you’re gifted and dyslexic? Or are you a parent of a child who’s gifted and dyslexic and want more information. Sometimes it can be difficult to recognize giftedness. Ronald Davis states, “This would commonly be recognized as daydreaming or simply not paying attention. The student is actually paying attention but has shifted to an imaginary world that is more interesting” (“The Gift of Learning” 38). How is this a sign of giftedness? Keep reading “The Gifted Dyslexic and Insight Learning” to learn about the last of our four dyslexic strengths. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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Sing Perfectly in Tune All the Time with Touchstone Instruments – Part 1
Want to be able to sing in tune every time you sing? Do you wonder what a touch instrument is? These instruments play a central role in establishing the tuning for a society. Keep reading to learn how to sing perfectly in tune all the time with touchstone instruments. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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What Does Intonation Mean and Why Is It Essential in Music?
Have you ever wondered what the word intonation means? In music, it’s an important part of performance for many instruments, and it impacts all instruments to one degree of another. Keep reading “What Does Intonation Mean and Why Is It Essential in Music?” to learn more. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
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What on Earth Exactly Is Vibrato?
“What on earth exactly is vibrato?” It’s a pulsating sound that musicians use to make their music more engaging. Views on vibrato have varied through the centuries. However, currently it’s felt that it adds warmth to the notes, and by extension, it adds more emotion to your playing. Keep reading to learn what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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