Music making for social communication goals

Creating music therapy activities that focus on social engagement for children with autism

Using Music to Support Social Communication in Children with Autism: A Neuroaffirming Approach

For children, play is not just fun—it’s fundamental to learning, connecting, and growing. Yet for many children on the autism spectrum, accessing social play and communication can present challenges.

In this comprehensive tutorial, registered music therapist Bronte Arns shares a clear, neuroaffirming framework for supporting social communication through music-based play interventions. Drawing on clinical experience and evidence-informed practice, Bronte breaks social communication into three essential skill areas: joint attention, turn taking, and adjusting to coordinate with others.

Each domain is explored across three levels of competency—passive, coordinated, and initiating—providing you with a practical and sequential approach to assessment, goal setting, and intervention. The language throughout respects neurodiversity and promotes strengths-based, meaningful outcomes for your clients.

This tutorial offers:

  • Clear definitions of key social communication competencies
  • Practical music and play-based activity ideas with video demonstrations
  • Adaptations and extension strategies for diverse client needs
  • Goal-writing support using respectful, developmentally informed language
  • Additional resources to embed the learning in your practice

Concluding with a recap and three optional bonus activities, this tutorial also gives you the opportunity to earn CMTE/CPD credits as you refine your skills and deepen your clinical insight.

Perfect for music therapists working with children on the spectrum, this tutorial equips you with tools that are immediately applicable, developmentally sound, and grounded in relationship-based practice.

Your Instructor


Bronte Arns
Bronte Arns

Bronte Arns is the National Director of Music Therapy for Giant Steps Australia, schools for students on the Autism Spectrum. Her area of specialty is the role of music therapists in transdisciplinary teams, and mentoring therapists in working collaboratively with professionals from other disciplines. Bronte is interested in the power of well-crafted and well-delivered music experiences focused on social learning for students of all abilities. She loves that there is always more to learn about the role of music for deepening relationships and targeting goals around social capabilities. 



Earn 4+ CMTE/CPD credits quickly and easily by watching

the tutorial and completing the bonus content activities!

 


 

Course Curriculum


  Tutorial Video's
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Tutorial doc's
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Extra resources
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
Do I receive a certificate for the course?
Yes, you do! Once you've watched ALL the video's you will be emailed a certificate of completion. If you complete any of the bonus content activities then you can email these to [email protected] to receive an additional certificate for submission to your CBMT/CPD organisation.
 

Get started now!