Regulated by rhythm
How drumming supports sensory integration for kids with disability
by African Drumming
Rhythm can be a powerful tool for helping children with disability regulate their bodies and minds. In particular, hand drumming with instruments like the djembe is gaining attention for its ability to support sensory integration in a way that’s fun, social, and deeply grounding.
ENGAGING THE WHOLE BODY – AND BRAIN
Drumming is a multi-sensory activity. When a child plays a djembe, they’re not just hearing rhythm – they’re also feeling the vibration through their hands and arms, coordinating movement between both sides of the body, and often responding to visual cues and group dynamics. This full-body engagement helps activate multiple sensory pathways at once, which is a key element of sensory integration therapy.
Sensory integration refers to the brain’s ability to process and respond appropriately to information from the senses. For many children with disability – particularly those with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing disorder – this process can be challenging. Rhythmic activities like drumming offer a structured and predictable way to experience sensory input, which can help build tolerance and improve motor planning over time.
BACKED BY RESEARCH
The benefits of rhythm-based activities for children with disability are supported by a growing body of research. A 2011 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that group drumming significantly reduced stress and improved social resilience in participants, while also boosting immune function (Bittman et al., 2011). While this study focused on adults, the physiological and neurological mechanisms – such as rhythmic entrainment and regulation of the autonomic nervous system – are also relevant to children.
A more targeted study in The Journal of Music Therapy (Kim, Wigram & Gold, 2009) explored how rhythm-based improvisation supported children with autism. The study showed improved joint attention, turn-taking, and emotional expression – skills that are often more difficult to develop in traditional therapy settings.
Drumming also supports bilateral coordination and fine motor skills, both of which are crucial for activities of daily living. Because the djembe is played with both hands, it encourages cross-body movement, helping to strengthen the communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
REGULATING THROUGH RHYTHM
One of the most immediate benefits of drumming is its impact on regulation. Many children with disability experience dysregulation – feeling overstimulated, anxious, or disconnected from their environment. The steady pulse of the drum can offer an anchor. Rhythmic patterns engage the parasympathetic nervous system, helping bring the body into a calmer, more balanced state.
In practice, this might look like a child arriving to a drumming session feeling tense or distracted, and within minutes, their breathing slows, their focus sharpens, and they begin to engage with the drum and the group.
Drumming is also accessible – it doesn’t require verbal communication, which makes it a particularly powerful option for non-speaking children or those with limited verbal skills. It’s a way of participating, expressing, and connecting that’s immediate and non-judgmental.
CONNECTION AND CONFIDENCE
Beyond the sensory and motor benefits, drumming can offer something equally important: belonging. Group drumming fosters connection without the pressure of spoken language or fixed outcomes. There’s room for improvisation and expression, but also structure and predictability – elements that are often comforting for children with disability.
As confidence grows, so too does engagement. For some children, it might be the first time they feel part of a group activity without feeling overwhelmed. For others, the drum becomes a safe outlet – a way to express energy, emotion, and individuality.
MOVING FORWARD
Programs that use hand drumming with djembes in schools, therapy settings, and community centres are already seeing the positive effects. And as more educatorsand therapists explore rhythm-based approaches, the evidence continues to grow. While drumming won’t replace other forms of therapy, it can be a deeply supportive addition – one that meets children where they are and helps them move toward greater regulation, connection, and expression.
Established in 1997, African Drumming has become Australia’s trusted name in West African music. They believe in uniting cultures through the power of music and are dedicated to sharing the music and culture of West Africa in all that they do: through instrument making, workshops, study tours, and performances. (03) 95253073 africandrumming.com.au
