ArtsTrain and CASPA team up to deliver a three day exploration of sound

Programme Producer and Manager, Alice Hale, in workshop with some young participants

ArtsTrain recently teamed up with our friends at the incredible charity CASPA for three activity days over February 14th, 15th and 17th.

CASPA is an award winning charity who provide invaluable support for children and young people with autism and their families, in and around the borough of Bromley. Music can provide connection for children with autism - with it often being described as a ‘hidden disability’.

CASPA says that “the defining features of autism include a lack of social awareness, communication skills and social imagination…many autistic children and young people suffer from bullying and isolation; many cannot cope with the social demands placed upon them in school or ‘mainstream’ social circles. These things can lead to the children and young people experiencing sadness, anger, depression, confusion and frustration, which in turn can lead to challenging behaviour, self-harm and/or reclusiveness”.

Music is a fantastic modality that can help young people with autism express themselves and communicate. In our interactive workshops, the children were invited to explore sound through a variety of percussive instruments; such as ocean drums, rain shakers, and the tongue drum. They were able to participate in jamming sessions led by our music leaders and also wrote, sang and produced songs for recording.

Two young participants play the tongue drum

According to The National Autistic Society, music can have a positive impact on the lives of autistic people. The benefits include “improved:

• communication skills

• social development

• self-expression

• emotional support

• cognitive development

• empowerment

• creativity.”

The impact of our sessions left many saying that they wanted to continue making music, with one particpant saying that it “has really inspired me to keep making music”. The staff from CASPA all agreed that the workshops were a success, with the children fully engaging with the sessions.

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The NHS South East London Clinical Commisioning Group is running a series of free, virtual, training sessions - Understanding Austism - throughout March, aimed at those who work with young people and adults with autism. For more info and to register, head here.