Music Therapy Can Help Stop Violence In Special Needs Children
Author: D.A.D.
Published: 2014/08/29 - Updated: 2025/06/03
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Disability Communication - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This report details research conducted by a collaborative team from Woodland Grange School in Surrey, England, and the nonprofit Drums and Disabilities (D.A.D.), examining the effects of music therapy - specifically "Drum Therapy" - on children and adults with autism spectrum disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, dyslexia, and behavioral challenges. The findings reveal that structured, repetitive drumming patterns can help retrain neural pathways, leading to significant improvements in cognitive function, social skills, behavior, and academic performance. Notably, participants in the study, which included both children and adults with severe limitations, showed marked reductions in violent behavior and self-mutilation, with some achieving perfect school attendance and enhanced coordination.
The research also introduced Specific Isolated Instruction (S.I.I.), which proved especially effective for children with dyslexia, improving their comprehension, spelling, and math abilities. This information is authoritative and useful, as it draws on clinical research and practical application in educational and therapeutic settings, offering promising alternative strategies for professionals, families, and individuals dealing with disabilities or behavioral issues - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Music can help children with autism spectrum disorders and o.d.d. to stop violent behavior, self-mutilation, and assist with developing cognitive functioning, social skill interaction, and grade point average, according to the research team at the Woodland Grange School in Surrey England, and the non-profit research organization Drums and Disabilities, (D.A.D.) in Towaco, NJ.
Main Content
For people with autism and cognitive disabilities, the synapses in the brain ineffectively communicate with each other. Playing repeated patterns of music can re-train these synapses, and can help these people re-establish the correct synapse pathways. The study was conducted by David Ciauro (EdS, MA,LAC), Pat Gesualdo, Senior Research Director for D.A.D. Christopher Topple, and Colin Jenkinson, Head Teacher for the Woodland Grange School. The study will be officially released online to Modern Drummer Magazine, starting September 2014.
Playing repeated patterns of music which the researchers called "Drum Therapy," helped the study participants to re-train the synapses in the brain, and develop physical and cognitive functioning.
"The study participants in our school have stopped violent behavior, self mutilation, and have achieved a 100% attendance record, as a result of the Drum Therapy research at our school," says Head Teacher Colin Jenkinson. "Their parents and I are in total disbelief of their success."
"We are now helping psychologists, neuroscientists, special needs therapists, and teachers implement our drum therapy study techniques into schools, hospitals, and mental health facilities in several countries," Gesualdo says. "As a result, many people with disabilities can live happier, healthier lives with the use of drumming."
Several clinical research studies prove that drumming is beneficial in the treatment of disabilities. To test this theory, the investigators for this study tested 5 children ages 9 to 15, and 4 adults between the ages of 30 and 55. The participants had autism, o.d.d., dyslexia, and violence and behavioral issues.
The researchers measured the participant's ability and behavior, and exposed them to specific methods of drumming (Drum Therapy). All the participant's abilities were severely limited since birth. One adult Johnny, was extremely limited non-verbal, severely low functioning with no coordination, and needed assistance walking. One adult Larry had autism, one adult Joe had violence issues and was low functioning, one adult Andre had o.d.d., three children had a.d.d. and dyslexia, one child had violence issues and engaged in frequent self-mutilation, two of the children had violence issues and low school attendance records.
Six months into the study, the non-verbal adult Johnny could count to 10 verbally, and do cross opposite hand and foot patterns at the same time. The one child completely stopped self-mutilation, the three children with a.d.d. and dyslexia improved their retention and coordination, two children no longer had violence issues, and achieved 100% school attendance records.
The researchers also unlocked the key to coordination development for the special needs population. They found that the part of the brain responsible for processing thought (Cerebral Cortex) was being "distracted" by the part of the brain that processes sound (Primary Auditory Cortex). As a result, they found that silent practice or movement had very fast coordination and retention development in people with a.d.d. and dyslexia, as compared to loud drumming or activity.
Additionally, the research team found that specifically isolating parts of a musical score (Specific Isolated Instruction, or S.I.I.) re-enforced comprehension in the dyslexic children, by eliminating "gaps" in the thought process. S.I.I. helped these children to fully and clearly understand the rhythms, as opposed to just by explanation alone. The three children with dyslexia could not comprehend or perform the same rhythms during the course of the study until they used the S.I.I. method. The researchers also found that the S.I.I. also helped these children with spelling and math abilities.
"These Drum Therapy techniques were a beneficial treatment for the study participants," Gesualdo says. "Therefore, the results are promising that Drum Therapy might be used as an appropriate, alternative therapy for other disabilities as well."
D.A.D. is a non-profit research based program that helps children and adults fight physical and cognitive disabilities with drum therapy. Psychologists, neuroscientists, therapists, and teachers use D.A.D. in school systems, hospitals, mental health facilities, and community centers on a Global basis.
The research team declares no financial compensation from D.A.D., or any other source.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The potential of music therapy to curb violence in children with special needs underscores a broader need for accessible, creative interventions in educational and therapeutic settings. As budgets for special education face scrutiny, prioritizing funding for programs like music therapy could yield significant long-term benefits, not just for individual children but for classrooms and communities. By tapping into the universal language of music, we can bridge gaps in communication and behavior management, offering a pathway to stability and growth for some of our most vulnerable young people. This approach deserves greater attention from policymakers and practitioners alike, as it highlights the power of innovative, human-centered solutions in addressing complex challenges.In an era where traditional interventions may not always yield desired outcomes, this report underscores the value of innovative, evidence-based therapies like Drum Therapy. Its practical success in diverse settings - schools, hospitals, and mental health facilities - suggests that music-based interventions can provide meaningful, measurable benefits for people with disabilities, supporting their development and well-being in ways that are both accessible and adaptable - Disabled World (DW).
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by D.A.D. and published on 2014/08/29, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.