Nearly two decades ago, when I was in my final year of completing my Master of Creative Music Therapy degree, I met and worked with a teenage boy who would change the way I understood the power of music forever. He was my very first music therapy client and I would never forget the time we shared in music. He had autism traits and an intellectual disability, and for much of his life people around him had believed he wouldn’t “amount to much.”

But through music therapy, I watched him discover new ways to connect and express himself. Then one day, after months of work, he gave his very first piano concert. He played with focus and joy, and before the final note rang out, his grandmother who had once carried so many questions and doubts about his future had tears streaming down her face.

It wasn’t just about playing piano. It was about proving that he was capable, that he could shine, and that with the right support he could thrive. That moment is still etched in my heart, and it has guided me throughout my career in music therapy.

Why Music Therapy Makes a Difference

Music therapy provides a safe and engaging space where children and teenagers can express themselves without pressure. For this young man, learning piano gave him structure, rhythm, and a new way to communicate. Week by week, he built not only skills but also confidence.

I have seen how music therapy can:

• Encourage communication, both verbal and non-verbal

• Support emotional regulation and self-expression

• Build social skills such as turn-taking and listening

• Increase confidence and self-worth through achievement

What began as simple play on the keys grew into something remarkable, a sense of pride and identity.

Small Steps, Big Impact

Young people with autism and intellectual disability often face limits set by others. But in music therapy, I’ve witnessed those limits gently fade. This teenager, who once struggled to engage, began looking forward to lessons, smiling, and sharing his progress. Each small step whether it’s keeping a steady beat, remembering a pattern, completing a song all became a building block toward bigger achievements.

The joy wasn’t his alone.

His grandmother’s tears that day reflected years of love and hope. Music therapy had opened a door to possibility she once feared was closed.

Music Therapy and the NDIS

For families in Australia today, music therapy is recognised and funded through the NDIS under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living. This means that many children and teenagers on the autism spectrum can access therapy sessions designed to meet their unique needs.

Helping Children and Teens Thrive at Voices of Heaven™

That boy’s journey almost twenty years ago continues to inspire me. It showed me firsthand how music therapy can transform lives not just for the child, but for the whole family.

At Voices of Heaven™, I carry that same vision forward: creating a safe, supportive space where children and young people with autism, intellectual disability, and other needs can feel, express, and connect.

If you would like to explore how music therapy for autism can support your child or teenager, visit my website or contact me to book a session. Together, we can help your child find confidence, connection, and joy through music.