Why Repetition Feels Different for Autistic Learners—and How Music Helps

 Introduction 

As a music teacher, I used to think repetition was just a tool for practice. But with autistic learners, I've come to understand repetition as a comfort, a language, and even a window into how they think.

1. Repetition as Security
Autistic children often find comfort in familiar patterns. Repeating a song or musical phrase can bring calm and confidence.

2. How Music Naturally Incorporates Repetition
Musical structure—rhythms, refrains, motifs—makes repetition feel natural, not forced. This is why many autistic learners gravitate toward music.

3. Respecting Repetition Requests
I used to resist when a child wanted to play the same song five times. Now, I see it as a way they're regulating or exploring something deeper.

4. When to Gently Stretch Beyond It
Over time, I’ve learned to add small changes within repetition—like a new dynamic or rhythm—so growth happens without disrupting comfort.

Conclusion:
Repetition in music is not just about drilling technique—it's a bridge to connection, emotion, and progress. When we understand its value, we stop fighting it and start using it wisely.

🗨️ Do your students repeat songs often? How do you handle it? Let's talk in the comments.

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