More about Music Therapy and Autism
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Build Social Skills through Music
Singing, rhythm games and turn-taking exercises create safe, motivating moments to practice asking for help, joining in, and taking turns. Research shows these techniques support joint attention and prosocial behaviour.
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Calm & Regulate
Predictable rhythms and guided musical interactions reduce arousal and teach calming routines that your child can use at school or home. Studies report reductions in anxiety and improved quality of life after music therapy.
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Increase Communication & Confidence
Music naturally supports vocalization and expressive turn-taking, helping nonverbal and verbal children practise communicating in low-pressure ways.
Adaptative Music Lessons
For some kids, what they really want is to learn an instrument—but traditional lessons haven’t worked. Adaptive music lessons are a separate, skill-building option for children and teens who are ready for more structured musical learning.
A different tool than therapy: The focus is on developing musical skills, instrument technique, and the ability to practise with increasing independence. Lessons are tailored to individual strengths and challenges. Therapeutic goals become the secondary priority.
Regular home practice expected: We create a home-friendly practice plan so your child builds consistency, confidence, and follow-through. Parents receive simple strategies to support practice at home.
Strengths-based + flexible: Lessons adapt to sensory needs, learning styles, pacing, and motor abilities—especially helpful for autistic kids who found traditional lessons overwhelming, too fast, or not supportive enough.
Builds real-life capacity: Learning an instrument supports attention, working memory, perseverance, goal-setting, and self-esteem. Kids see their progress in tangible ways, which can transfer beautifully into school and daily life.
For beginners or experienced learners: Whether they’re starting fresh or returning after lessons that didn’t go well, adaptive lessons meet them at their level and grow upward from there.
Supriya offers direct billing to the BC Autism Funding Unit (AFU)
I can submit invoices directly to BC’s Autism Funding Unit (AFU) on your behalf for eligible music therapy services. Please note this is a direct-billing service I offer as a convenience — it does not replace your responsibility to set up and manage your child’s AFU account.
Suggested checklist for parents
Apply for or log in to your MyFamilyServices / AFU account.
Choose your payment method (Invoice Payment / Direct Payment) if prompted and follow AFU instructions.
Authorize Supriya to invoice the AFU — this may require signing a Request-to-Pay (RTP) form or using the AFU portal. Ask me for any exact details you’ll need to submit.
Tell Supriya when AFU approves funding and the total approved amount.
Keep an eye on your AFU balance and request invoice copies from Supriya as needed. Note AFU timelines for invoice submissions (check your AFU agreement).