Aitys practice example
An example of musical interaction and the cultural form that informs the project.
Open video in Google Drive Stanford Neurodiversity Summit 2026
Finding Voice Through Rhythm
A Culturally Grounded Music Therapy Approach for Autistic Children
This practice-based project explores how Aitys, rhythm, dombra-based sensory engagement, call-and-response, and musical improvisation can support regulation, connection, communication, and participation for autistic children in culturally meaningful ways.
The project
Culture is not an accessory to participation
Kazakhstan is navigating changes in mental health, education, professional training, and migration. This project starts from a local cultural resource rather than importing a model unchanged. It asks how familiar musical structure can become a bridge for autistic children with different communication styles.
Aitys, also written Aytys, is a centuries-old Kazakh tradition of improvised sung poetry, usually accompanied by dombra. The project adapts interactional principles such as rhythm, turn-taking, response, timing, and improvisation into structured therapeutic sessions.
The child determines how participation takes form.Participation may be vocal, rhythmic, gestural, instrumental, movement-based, or shared silence.
Stanford Neurodiversity Summit 2026 poster
Open the full-resolution PDF.
Intervention model
A predictable flow with space for agency
The structure provides predictability while leaving room for child choice, movement, rhythm, communication, and improvisation.
1
Warm-upGreeting song and body rhythm to support regulation.2
TopicThe child chooses an interest, supporting agency and motivation.3
CoreMusical exchange supports turn-taking and reciprocal response.4
ImprovisationFree response creates room for expression in the child's own mode.5
ClosingA predictable goodbye song supports transition and integration.Practice media
Watch examples from the project
These videos are hosted in the project Google Drive folder and open directly from this page.
First Dombra practice
A short practice example showing the dombra as part of the project's rhythmic and sensory context.
Open video in Google DrivePractice & collaboration
Work grows through relationships, not only protocols
The project brings together local cultural practice in Almaty, psychological and neurodiversity-informed framing, and international collaboration around accessible support for autistic children.
Project photographs are shown without identifying the child by name.
Collaboration
Three perspectives, one shared direction
The project is practice-based and collaborative. Each contributor brings a different perspective to how culturally meaningful music can support regulation, connection, participation, and communication.
Ioanna PonomarenkoLocal practice, cultural context, music-based interaction, and work with children and families in Almaty.
Danna Summers, PhDPsychological and neurodiversity-informed framing, cross-cultural perspective, and collaborative development of the project.
Fialkora Myndru, MSAdaptation, neurodiversity-informed framing, trauma-sensitive perspective, and international knowledge sharing.
Project contextEducational Center at JSC Araltuz, Almaty · Autism Unity · Stanford Neurodiversity Summit 2026.
Early observations
What the practice suggested
Preliminary observations from Almaty sessions described several patterns worth studying more systematically.
01More engagement and spontaneous vocal or musical participation.
02Structured rhythm appeared to support regulation and reduce visible anxiety.
03Improved turn-taking, shared attention, and reciprocal response.
04Children with limited spoken communication participated through singing, gesture, movement, and instruments.
05Parents reported more connection and carryover of musical routines at home.
Important: These are early practice-based observations, not controlled outcome data. Future evaluation should document participant characteristics, session frequency, sensory response, communication modes, caregiver feedback, and change over time.
Share the project
dannasummers.com/aitys/
This QR code is the permanent project link for printed materials. It leads to this page, where visitors can watch the practice videos and open the full Stanford poster.
