Teaching Music to Students With Autism

Teaching Music to Students with Autism is a comprehensive resource for everyone who works with students with autism within the music classroom. The authors focus on understanding autism, advocating for students and music programs, and creating and maintaining a team approach by working together with colleagues effectively. A significant portion of the book is focused on understanding and overcoming the communication, cognition, behavior, sensory, and socialization challenges inherent in working with students with autism. The authors suggest ways to structure classroom experiences and learning opportunities for all students. The book includes vignettes and classroom snapshots from experienced music teachers which provide additional opportunities to transfer theory to real-life application.

Alice M. Hammel is on the music faculties of Virginia Commonwealth and James Madison Universities. She is in demand as a clinician and teacher throughout the United States and is widely published in the areas of music education, teacher education, and students with special needs. Dr. Hammel holds several concurrent leadership positions in the field of music education and is a multiple award recipient honoring her work in the field.

Ryan M. Hourigan is Associate Professor and Associate Director of the School of Music at Ball State University. He is an advocate, teacher, clinician, and prolific publisher of research in the area of children with exceptionalities.