ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 14 > Iss. 3 (2026)
Credentials Display
Zahava L. Friedman, PhD, OT, BCBA; Dina Prisco, PhD, OT; Jorge Ochoa, OTR; Talia Nuesi, MS; Carmen Guarino, OT; Patricia Higgins, OT; Danielle Centi, DrOT, OTR, CBIS
Abstract
Background: There is a need to identify a wider variety of neurodiversity-affirming interventions within the scope of occupational therapy. Therapeutic drumming, percussive music-making as a therapeutic intervention, holds potential for occupational therapy practice, though few studies have explored its efficacy with this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the design and effectiveness of therapeutic drumming for autistic youth from perspectives of drumming facilitators to identify relevant outcome variables and usefulness in the study and practice of therapeutic drumming.
Methodology: This exploratory feasibility study recruited twelve facilitators and 10 autistic youth. An occupational therapy graduate student and fieldwork educator served as lead facilitators, alongside 10 behavior technicians, each supporting one child. Training and intervention sessions, pre-study focus group, and post-study dyadic interviews were analyzed by two researchers via qualitative reflexive thematic analysis. In addition, post-study survey was analyzed via descriptive statistics.
Results: Survey data revealed perceptions of barriers to and the benefits of therapeutic drumming. Qualitative analysis yielded four themes: interprofessionalism, customization, notable outcomes, and vital components, leading to a preliminary checklist guiding future implementation.
Conclusion: Therapeutic drumming was perceived positively, with noted social-emotional benefits. Flexibility of facilitators allowed for individualized, collaborative, and enjoyable occupational therapy intervention experience, consistent with neurodiversity-affirming practice.
Recommended Citation
Friedman, Z. L., Prisco, D., Ochoa, J., Nuesi, T., Guarino, C., Higgins, P., & Centi, D. (2026). Feasibility of Therapeutic Drumming Intervention for Autistic Youth: An Exploratory Study. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 14(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2358
Comments
The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.