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Best Resources for Teaching Music to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, we're thrilled to share our best and most recommended resources on Autism and music and piano teaching! Inside this post, you'll find our favorite and most-recommended

  • Books

  • Articles

  • Magazines

  • Blogs/Blog Posts

  • Podcast

  • Teaching Tools


...all on Autism Spectrum Disorder and music education to help you learn and teach your gifted music students.


Why Autism?

When we started Creative Piano Pedagogy back in September of 2020, you may not know that the entire motivation behind CPP was Elizabeth's doctoral dissertation (Approaches to Teaching Music Reading to Piano Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.) (Side note: you're welcome to read it here but it's quite lengthy.) A dissertation isn't exactly scintillating reading material, and we wanted to create and share practical resources on teaching students with autism and other neurodivergent learners, as well as create a community for fellow music teachers.


So, Creative Piano Pedagogy was the result, and we're so grateful for all we've done since 2020 and for all the exciting things to come! We hope you enjoy these teaching resources and save it for later and share with a friend who might enjoy perusing and finding new resources for autism and music teaching!


A disclaimer: Some of the links shared here are affiliate links. If you purchase through those links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, and this helps support the blog and podcast. Everything we're sharing is completely unsponsored, our own personal recommendations, and we do not recommend products/books/anything we don't personally use (and we'll keep sharing only the things we love, use, and think you'll appreciate.)


Best Resources for Teaching Music to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Books

Here's my giant list of Favorite Books for Piano Teachers that includes many listed below.


Autism and Piano Study: A Basic Teaching Vocabulary by Dr. Scott Price

Scott Price is a leading expert on piano teaching and autism, and this pedagogy book provides a practical roadmap for music teachers and piano teachers who are working with autistic learners in any musical setting. "Written by Dr. Scott Price, a leading authority in special needs pedagogy, Autism & Piano Study presents a powerful, compassionate guide for music educators. Drawing from years of personal teaching experience, Dr. Price offers a real-world, student-centered approach to teaching piano to students with autism and other neurodivergent profiles."


Autism Education: The Way I See it: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know by Dr. Temple Grandin

A renowned autistic speaker and animal expert, Dr. Grandin shares perspectives on real issues for parents and teachers of students with autism. She provides a concise and practical handbook for understanding early intervention, teaching for different types of thinking, motivating students and much more.


Beyond Behaviors by Dr. Mona Delahooke

"In Beyond Behaviors, internationally known pediatric psychologist Dr. Mona Delahooke describes behaviors as the tip of the iceberg, important signals that we should address by seeking to understand a child’s individual differences in the context of relational safety." Dr. Delahooke has further resources on her website.


Beyond the Wall by Dr. Stephen Shore

Dr. Shore is a professor, musician, and author with autism who shares a unique and profound perspective on autism and gifted learners. He also has multiple resources available on his website.


Bright Not Broken by Diane Kennedy and Rebecca Banks with Temple Grandin

A practical and accessible read on autism and ADHD from the perspective of two parents of Twice-Exceptional children with autism expert, Dr. Temple Grandin. The book is available as a new/used hardcopy, Kindle, or audiobook.


Gifted and Distractable: Understanding, Supporting, and Advocating for your Twice Exceptional Child by Julie F. Skolnick

"This much-needed and empowering guide reveals the unique challenges these remarkable kids face, and offers strength-based, hands-on strategies for understanding, supporting, and advocating for twice exceptional kids."


New method series: Insights & Piano Study by Dr. Scott Price and Tom Gerou

This new method series provides a unique framework for teaching learners of all ages and abilities, providing the teacher with scripting and step-by-step teaching instructions to help students create music from the very first lesson. The graphics and explanations are carefully planned, using concise verbiage and containing wonderful guides for including improvisation, creativity, and musicality at every step! It truly is the first method of its kind, providing confidence for teachers in each step with visuals and processes that work well for gifted learners. The series includes a collection of musically-written solo pieces that can be taught as rote or pre-reading, with step-by-step teaching instructions and helpful tips for teachers and students. "INSIGHTS & PIANO STUDY is the result of careful design, collaboration, and focused application within the piano studio. Developed by Tom Gerou and Scott Price, the curriculum brings structure, clarity, and musical depth to the modern studio—beginning with the very first lesson and continuing to expand over time."


Music, Language and Autism: Exceptional Strategies for Exceptional Minds by Dr. Adam Ockelford

"Children with autism often have an intense natural musicality. This book explains how music and language 'work' as systems of communication, and why music holds such a fascination for many young people on the autism spectrum."


Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman

"This New York Times–bestselling book upends conventional thinking about autism and suggests a broader model for acceptance, understanding, and full participation in society for people who think differently."


Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity" by Dr. Devon Price

"A deep dive into the spectrum of Autistic experience and the phenomenon of masked Autism, giving individuals the tools to safely uncover their true selves while broadening society’s narrow understanding of neurodiversity."


Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think of Pictures, Patterns and Abstractions by Dr. Temple Grandin

"A landmark book that reveals, celebrates, and advocates for the special minds and contributions of visual thinkers." A fascinating read that educates on the beauty and creativity to be found in learning how different minds think and view the world.


Winding it Back: Teaching to Individual Differences in Music Classroom and Ensemble Settings" by Dr. Alice Hammel

"The framework of this text is centered on three core principles: Honoring the individual learning needs of all students; providing multiple access points and learning levels; and providing adequate learning conditions for all students within the music classroom." You can learn more about Dr. Hammel's other books and resources on her website.

Articles

"Approaches to Teaching Music Reading to Piano Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder" by Rachel Elizabeth Davis (2019)


"Autism and Music Study: Inside a Piano Lesson" -Dr. Scott Price, University of South Carolina (2025 MTNA Webinar Series)


"Autism Spectrum Disorders: Music Therapy Research and Evidence Based Practice Support" by the American Music Therapy Association


"Effective Strategies for Teaching Music to Students with Autism" by Catharine Ahls (2007)


"Rethinking the role of music in the neurodevelopment of autism spectrum disorder" by Thenille Braun Janzen and Michael H. Thaut (Music and Science)

"Teaching is Improvising: Preparing to Pivot" by Elizabeth Davis-Everhart (The American Music Teacher, March 2025)


"Understanding and Teaching Students with Autism in Music Education Settings" by Amalia Allen, Phd (National Association for Music Education, 2021)


"Understand the Mind of a Student with Autism in Music Class" by Ryan Hourrigan and Alice Hammel (Berklee College of Music ABLE Research Media and Information Exchange)


Magazines

"ADDitude Parenting Magazine" (digital/print magazine, webinars, articles, resources)


"Autism Parenting Magazine" (digital magazine and resources)


"Piano Magazine" by The Frances Clark Center/Piano Inspires (print/digital magazine, webinars, resources) -subscription/member access


"The American Music Teacher" published by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)- member access/subscription access



Teaching Resources


Here's the giant list of Favorite Neurodivergent Teaching Resources- all my favorites and everything from the list below that can be found on Amazon. Just a reminder- we're only sharing things we own, use, love and think that you'll love, too.


Bubble Timer

If you've followed the blog very long, then you've likely heard me sing praises to the beloved Bubble Timer (I even wrote a blogpost on how much we love it). It serves many purposes, and is a calming, beautiful, and wonderful addition to any piano studio.


Fidgets

We have many fidgets in the studio, and they all serve a purpose- they're not just cute toys. We use them for brain breaks, incorporate them into games and activities, use them for sensory activities, and keep them on hand for calm-downs. These are our favorites!


Hand Fly-Swats

Probably the most random item on this list, but these bug-swats are perfect for helping students practice big-body movements, develop coordination between the arms/hands, practice LH/RH patterns, and so many other things. We truly love these.


Foam Foot Rest

I love this so much that I purchased another for my desk! This uniquely soft but supportive footrest is a lovely sensory addition for using at the piano when students don't need to use the pedals, or for students who benefit from fidgeting and moving during the learning process. It's also washable with a removable cover, which is fantastic.


Hand Stickers by Betty Sue (formerly known as Susan Paradis)

These Left/Right Hand stickers are hugely helpful for students on the spectrum to use in their music to not only mark starting position on the keys, but also to mark clef changes, moves, and more. They're a new favorite. (You might also like the Circle stickers from the same shop.)


"I Need Chart"

One of the best ways to help students learn communication in the studio, offer reprieve during moments of stress and overwhelm, and keep communication concise and direct to best help our diverse learners. We love keeping laminated copies in the studio or in student binders.


Piano Puzzle by Music Escapades Shoppe

Students of all ages love this piano puzzle, and it's not only a great multi-sensory teaching tool, but is wonderful for helping students learn geography of the keyboard and names of keys.


Pompoms

We love these so much that I wrote an entire blogpost on some ways we use them in lessons! Some students use them in practicing repetitions, for building chords, showing musical direction/shape of melodies- endless possibility with a great way to add sensory, colorful fun.


Pop Sensory Toy

Not only are these terrific for brain breaks and decompressing to work through overwhelm in lessons, these are great tools for working on firm finger joints and rhythm!


Rhythm Drum

One of my favorite ways to help students work on coordination and big-muscle movement and rhythm. Students love it!


Rhythm Sticks

Not a new teaching tool, but an excellent way to help students practice Left and Right hand rhythms, big movements, dynamics, sensory activities, and much more.


Stress/Squishy Ball Toys

My students use these for a variety of activities and exercises- from hand/finger technique and motion and hand exercises to stress-relieving fun, rhythm games, and activities.


Transparent Overlays

These colorful overlays can be great tools for helping relieve stress of reading music for many students, and they add a fun splash of color in the learning process!


Visual Schedule for Lessons

Students on the spectrum thrive with structure in learning environments, and this flexible but fun visual scheduler is a great way to combine autonomy with visual aids and structure in lessons.


Wobble Cushion

For wiggly students, this inflatable, squishy cushion is a great addition to your piano bench. It provides a bit of movement and sensory relief without compromising your students' posture.


collage image with pictures of teaching books and tools to use in lessons with students with autism

We hope you've found a few helpful resources to add to your studio or TBR pile from our best resources for teaching music to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder! If you found this helpful, we'd love for you to share it with a friend, comment below with your favorite new resource you're looking forward to using, and save this article for later.

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