Reconceptualising repetitive behaviours in autistic children as experiences in the context of musical engagement

his research contributes to current thinking that is seeking to reconceptualise neurodiversity not in terms of a deficit model (APA, 2013) but as a fusion of different abilities and therefore as a characteristic of human diversity (Chapman, 2020; Terzi, 2005). In particular, it will seek to re-frame the notion of flow experience (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).

Flow experience occurs when one is fully immersed in an absorbing task and can result in high levels of cognitive functioning (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).

Therefore, flow experience will encompass some of the apparently restrictive and repetitive behaviours manifested by some on the autism spectrum, that have traditionally been characterised as negative traits (McDonnell and Milton, 2014).

Case studies have suggested that music can provide a medium in which autistic children can engage in flow in a positive way (Ockelford, 2013a; Ockelford and Voyajolu, 2020).

However, no formal research has been undertaken into the flow state in autistic children and how this can impact on their engagement with music.