Autism informed music training and supported practice
Developed with, for and by autistic people, and relevant to every pupil in an inclusion base, specialist resource base or special school.
Musical Connections is Live Music Now’s research informed approach to making music in inclusion bases. Our training and supported practice help school staff and music educators build the understanding, skills and confidence to make music around each pupil’s strengths, interests and different ways of taking part.
Choose your starting point
Introduce
90 minutes | £575 +VAT | up to 50 participants
A first look at autism, music, the Musical Connections research and the Values and Arc, with practical starting points. For whole staff teams, school music leads, SENCos, ALNCos, peripatetic teachers and senior leaders.
- A recording of the session to watch back later
- A questionnaire before the session, so we can tailor it to your team
- Follow up access to our Guide
Deep Dive
3 hours | CPD accreditation (TBC)
£1,150 + VAT per organisation (up to 20)
£125 per person on open dates (3-6pm on Wednesday 13 January 2027 or Tuesday 16 March 2027)
This builds on Introduce. Explore how autistic pupils experience and take part in music, then use the Values and Arc to plan and try ideas for your own pupils and sessions. For Music Hubs and Services, Multi Academy Trusts (MATs), groups of schools, music educators, and SEND/ALN and inclusion leads.
- A recording of the session to watch back later
- A questionnaire before the session, so we can shape it around the group
- The Values and Arc planning template, to keep and use afterwards
Mentor
3 x 90 minutes online | £1,500 + VAT per cohort | up to 10 practitioners
Group reflection sessions after Deep Dive, spread over a term or longer. Share what you’ve tried, solve problems together and adapt your practice. Single sessions and 1:1 mentoring are also available.
Apply
Introduce + 3 half days | £1,900 + travel
Introduce + 6 half days (Recommended) | £2,800 + travel
A trained Musical Connections practitioner works alongside your team in your setting, starting with an Introduce session. Staff learn through modelling, delivering together and reflection, with planning and mentoring built in so that the work can carry on after the project ends.
For Music Hubs, Services and MATs
Build practice across your area with a Deep Dive, followed by Apply in several settings. Commission Apply in three settings and we include a reflection session across your settings with our Musical Connections Creative Lead at no extra charge.
Grounded in research. Developed through practice.
Developed through an Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded participatory action research partnership with the University of South Wales and the University of Southampton, bringing together autistic musicians, teachers, families, researchers and music practitioners.
Our work centers around these eight values:
Safety · Acceptance · Pupil led · Interest driven · Co created · Balance · Playful · Holistic
See the approach in practice
- Watch the Musical Connections film
- Read the free Guide
Work with us
Whether you are a school, individual practitioner, Music Hub, Music Service or MAT, we can help you find the right starting point. Email [email protected] to find out more.
