The Power of Music for Autistic Students

In Other Words is a podcast from the UCLA Tarjan Center where people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities interview researchers, policymakers, and experts in the field of developmental disabilities. Each episode takes presentations from the Tarjan Center Distinguished Lecture Series and turns them into clear, plain-language conversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion. This episode features Dr. Ifunanya Nweke, Founder and Executive Director of Jazz Hands for Autism. Jazz Hands for Autism provides music education for autistic individuals and training for educators. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Nweke about how music performance can help autistic learners develop resilience, courage, and social connection.Together, they discuss:The difference between listening to music and performing musicHow music performance can have a positive impact on autistic learners and their caregiversThe Jazz Hands Educator Training program Show Notes:To view this podcast episode with full captions, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZE94jhxuHcTo view the entire presentation, You Can't Have Inclusion Without Music: How Performance Based Music Education Transforms Outcomes for Autistic Learners and Creates Systems-Level Change visit https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan/2025-2026-presentationsLearn more about Jazz Hands for Autism and the work they do: https://www.jazzhandsforautism.org/Learn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan