Asperger's Syndrome is a disorder that is characterised by focal issues, lack of social and emotional understanding, and dexterity problems. Traditional musicians might find it odd that someone who has these problems would ever learn to play a musical instrument well but the truth is that musical instruction for children with Asperger's Syndrome can help your child in ways that you never imagined.
Before you select and instrument and a teacher, you should be aware if your child has shown any interest towards an instrument or to learning in general. Many children on the spectrum are prone to temper tantrums if they don't get their way and some can become violent if they feel like they're being hurt or punished. Forcing a child with Asperger's to sit down at a piano for an extended period of time, for example, will most likely result in their attention wondering at best. If your child has shown no interest in music or playing a musical instrument then you should look at placing instruments around them and seeing if they become interested. There are many other ways to help your child relate to the world, so if music doesn't pan out then don't despair.
If your child has shown an interest in music then try to find the instrument that they seem to like the best. Many teachers begin with drum and other percussion instruments because this helps them to learn about tempo, beat, and rhythm. This also gives them an appropriate outlet for their anger: if the child becomes enraged then they can beat out a rhythm on the drums rather than resorting to hitting a wall or themselves. Tambourines and triangles might also help but some children on the spectrum don't like the high pitched sounds that come from triangles, and some might get distracted by the lights shining from the cymbals on the tambourine.
Some therapists encourage parents to try their children out of a piano. Piano music requires more routine and scheduling, something that children on the Spectrum find comforting. However, traditional piano lessons are very strict and rigid and are not designed for people on the Spectrum. Before deciding on a teacher you should interview them and ask if they have any experience dealing with children like yours. Some major cities and suburban areas have music schools specifically designed to help people with special needs, and this is the place that should be contacted. Here are some tips to making a music lesson run smoothly:
-Take away or cover up anything that the child might find distracting, including a book shelf (they will want to organise it) or a window (tree branches moving in the wind can be very distracting)
-Give simple instructions and don't repeat unless asked to. Kids with this disorder need time to process things and interrupting will only set them back to square one
-Don't spend too much time focused on one thing, keep the lessons flowing and the child will keep interested. Music can be very soothing so a child with Asperger's and helping them learn to play their favourite pieces will give them the opportunity to branch out in the world.