"It is more Important than food sometimes"; Meanings and Functions of Music in the Lives of Autistic Adults Through a hermeneutic-phenomenological Lense.
Kaja Korošec, Walter Osika, Eva Bojner-Horwitz
PMID 36323990WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic adults described music as a tool to regulate arousal, manage emotions, and create safe spaces.
However, they also reported significant stress from loud or unfamiliar music and fear of judgment. Agency over sound exposure was crucial for both benefits and harms.
Key findings
01Participants used music to regulate physiological arousal and emotions, such as calming down when excited or energising when lethargic.
02Music served as a tool for cognitive support, helping participants direct attention, maintain focus on tasks, and structure daily routines.
03Negative experiences arose from a lack of agency over the sound environment, including unwanted background music, volume, and poor sound quality, which caused stress.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (13 participants) and limited to those who could communicate verbally and fluently in Swedish. Participants were mostly employed or studying, underrepresenting those with higher support needs or different life circumstances. The study did not include non-autistic comparison groups. Recruitment may have biased the sample toward individuals already interested in music.
Declared interests
Funded by the Karolinska Institute. No other conflicts of interest declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume music is universally calming or beneficial for autistic adults. This study found that music can be a significant source of stress, particularly when the individual lacks control over the volume, genre, or presence of music in their environment.