Jake’s Song: Embracing Repetitiveness in Autism
Jake was a typical 10-year-old boy in many ways. He loved playing with LEGOs, riding his bike, and baking cookies. But Jake was also different in some ways. He had autism and traits of ADHD, which made it hard for him to focus and sit still for long periods of time.
One thing that always seemed to calm Jake down and make him happy was listening to music. He had a favorite song that he loved to listen to over and over again. Whenever Jake and his family would go for a car ride, he would always ask to listen to his favorite song on repeat.
At first, his parents were worried about his constant need to listen to the same song on repeat and decided to hire a behavior therapist to come to visit Jake and his family. The therapist believed that Jake’s fixation on the song was unhealthy and wanted to help him find new ways to cope with his emotions.
The therapist suggested that Jake try listening to different types of music or engaging in other activities to distract himself from the repetitive song. She thought that this would help him broaden his interests and learn to enjoy new things.
But when Jake tried to stop listening to his favorite song, he became extremely upset. He didn’t understand why the therapist wanted him to change something that brought him so much happiness.
As days passed and Jake continued to struggle with the therapist’s intervention, his mood grew darker and sadder. He lost interest in his toys, stopped playing outside, and seemed to withdraw into himself.
Realizing that they needed to advocate for Jake and his needs, his parents spoke to the therapist and explained how important the repetitive music was to their son’s well-being. They shared how much joy and comfort it brought him and how trying to take that away only caused him distress.
Understanding the impact of her actions, the therapist reconsidered her approach and worked with Jake and his family to find a compromise. They agreed that Jake could continue listening to his favorite song, but they would also introduce new music and activities to help him explore different interests.
Over time, Jake found a balance between his love for repetitive music and his willingness to try new things. He discovered that he could still enjoy his favorite song while also exploring new ones. After a few months he discovered a new favorite song, and several months later another new favorite. His love for music grew stronger and he started to express himself through playing the drums and guitar.
His parents knew that as long as Jake had his music, he would always be able to find peace and happiness in the world around him.
Addressing Autism and Depression: Paths to Healing and Hope
Compared to typically developing individuals, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), are 4-times more likely to experience depression in their lifetime.[1] It’s important for parents, caregivers, educators, and therapists to recognize and respect the importance of repetitive behaviors and special interests to individuals with autism.
Forcing Jake to stop the repetitiveness of his favorite song ultimately led to depression. Despite attempts from a behavior therapist to change Jake’s behavior, his insistence on listening to the same song brought him comfort and happiness. When pressured to abandon this routine, Jake withdrew into himself, losing interest in activities and experiencing a decline in mood. In an attempt to modify Jake’s behavior, the therapy was suppressing natural behaviors of Jake and hindering the ability to express himself authentically.
Recognizing the importance of his attachment to the song, Jake’s parents advocated for him, ultimately allowing him to find a balance between his love for repetitive music and exploration of new interests, leading to his emotional well-being and growth.
Supporting and accommodating these preferences, while also encouraging the exploration of new activities and experiences, can help individuals with autism maintain their sense of well-being and prevent feelings of depression.
Notes on the Author
Ilse Gevaert is a psychologist and coach with expertise in neurodiversity (ASD and ADHD), giftedness, trauma, narcissistic abuse, and resilience. Ilse continued her education at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Cornell, where she obtained leadership certificates that have informed her practice.
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References
[1] Hudson CC, Hall L, Harkness KL. Prevalence of Depressive Disorders in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Meta-Analysis. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2019 Jan;47(1):165-175. doi: 10.1007/s10802-018-0402-1. PMID: 29497980.
