Turning movement into music: The Autism Center adds Soundbeam technology

ONTARIO — Children attending The Autism Center this fall will create music with a wave of the hand, a tilt of the head or even the movement of a wheelchair.

Soundbeam, an assistive music technology system using ultrasonic sensors to detect motion, will become part of the center’s therapy services for autistic children and individuals with communication or mobility challenges.

According to the Soundbeam website, the device has used sensor technology for more than 35 years.

Robert Neumann, owner of The Autism Center, said he was first introduced to Soundbeam by the center’s physical therapist. They participated in a Zoom demonstration with the manufacturer from the United Kingdom.

The touch-free system converts physical movement into sound through non-contact sensors that respond to gestures ranging from subtle motions, such as a hand twitch or blink, to full-body movement.

“A child can create music just by moving a hand, head, wheelchair or body through the sensor beams,” Neumann added. “There’s no need for advanced verbal skills or fine motor control, which can reduce frustration and performance anxiety.”

The Autism Center, which opened in 2023 at 68 Briggs Dr., also expanded its research-based therapy services in February. They provide occupational, speech and language and physical therapy alongside educational programming.

The program maintains a ratio of one aide for every two children enrolled – serving families across Richland County and surrounding communities, where consistent, developmentally focused autism services can be difficult to access.

Turning movement into music

“The device has many uses outside of autism,” Neumann said. “He demonstrated a child using it who could only move his wheelchair.”

The demonstrator also showed a group of four using the sensors, which have a five-meter range, to play a quartet.

Group sessions encourage turn-taking, cooperation and non-verbal communication among autistic children and their peers.

“We will be partnering with Rainbow Roots and PT For Kids in getting it to be used with other more physically impacted children,” Neumann said. “We are always looking for ways to change the engagement process and make it more interactive for our students.”

Therapists use Soundbeam Imitation Intervention to help children strengthen motor skills, practice imitation and build social-emotional expression. This is done often during turn-taking activities, shared music-making or musicals.

Neumann said the system’s instant audio feedback allows movements to trigger specific musical notes, loops or soundscapes, giving users immediate control over their environment.

The system helps children understand cause and effect by connecting movement directly to sound, allowing users to see how their actions control the music, Neumann said. He added the immediate feedback can improve attention, motivation and purposeful movement.

He added the system offers a non-verbal outlet for self-expression and emotional regulation while encouraging engagement and cognitive learning.

Soundbeam is often helpful for autistic children because it turns movement into sound and music in an immediate, sensory and interactive way, he said.

“Many autistic children respond strongly to sound, rhythm and predictable patterns,” Neumann said. “Musical interaction can be calming for some children and energizing for others, depending on how the sessions are designed.”

The program can also filter out unintended movements, making it adaptable for individuals with sensory processing sensitivities.

A family-centered approach to therapy

The Autism Center staff works with preschools and families to provide services grounded in developmental science and structured, consistent intervention.

The center encourages parents to participate in therapy sessions and learn techniques they can continue using at home.

“We’re a therapy school, not traditional,” Neumann previously told Richland Source. “We want to provide parents with options to get to the root causes and remediate.”

“I’ll teach it for free as long as they come in during our hours of operation,” Neumann said. “Getting that parent involved brings three legs back to the stool, and if we have them on board it’s so much better.”

For more information about services, scheduling or program details, families can contact The Autism Center at 419-756-3456.