Autism Hub

Session information

Supporting Musical Engagement for Neurodiverse Learners – A Proactive Approach to Inclusion

One of the challenges for teachers can be adjusting lessons to meet a wide range of learning needs.

In this workshop, Bronte will talk through some helpful tools and strategies for setting up music programs to include neurodiverse students, particularly those with an intellectual disability, or who lie on the autism spectrum.

Considerations will include regulation supports for students transitioning to a music space and settling into a lesson, being aware of sensory information in the environment, communicating clearly what is going to happen, and helping students understand their role when teaching a new activity. For each of these aspects, practical examples will be shared through videos and live demonstrations.

This interactive workshop will encourage participants to reflect on strategies they may already have in place and spark new ideas to improve musical engagement – not just with neurodiverse learners – but with every child in the classroom.

Presenter

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Bronte Arns

Bronte Arns

Music in Me Summit presenter

Bronte Arns is a Registered Music Therapist and National Director of Music Therapy for Giant Steps Australia, schools for autistic students. She brings over 20 years in practice, aligning the relational work of music therapy with the creative arts curriculum in a special education environment. Her area of research has focused on transdisciplinary practice in action within schools, and how this contributes to positive outcomes for neurodiverse students. ​

For many years, Bronte created the Special Needs supplements for the Musica Viva in Schools performing group resources, and she has presented and published widely on ways to make music-making an accessible resource for functional learning and wellbeing. ​

Bronte currently provides mentoring and supervision for professionals working through challenges in engagement with neurodiverse learners. Her passion lies in making practical, motivating tools available for teachers and therapists, and in adjusting these to meet a range of needs within a group.