Aspies For Freedom

Drum circles.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_circle
Are these at all helpful to people with autism?

Never done it but I think it could be neat.

I've been to a drum circle and enjoyed it, though I was also ready for the drumming to stop when it stopped.  Not sure if I would go again, though it sort of balanced out on the whole.

Could be a bit noisy for me but it also sounds as if it would be fun.

A convention I attend every year has an all-night drum circle.  I've never drummed or danced, but I always like to stop by for a while to watch and listen.  I'd imagine the noise would bother some, but I usually find it very relaxing.

since i'm pagan i would like very much to go to a "drum circle" but i do not understand how it would be helpful to someone with autism.

Drum circles? Hell yeah!

Not that it would probably help any autistics, but it sure as hell would be fun.

Interesting thread....

This past week my son has been "making music" by drumming or just plain hitting things with other things.  Last weekend he played me a tune, I use that word very loosely, by hitting garden canes on the paved path.  Yesterday, we were out for a coffee and cake, yum, and he started hitting the spoon off the various plates and cups on the table.

I think the anarchic drum circle described in the op's link would suit him.....but I don't know if I fancy him having a drum kit in the house...

Oh it's a lot of fun - I'm not sure how helpful it is, but I do feel recharged and rejuvenated by drumming in a group.  I think that's broadly applicable to humankind though - I've set up impromptu circles with household kit and workshops for kids with recycled junk.  Most people are drummers, it's just a matter of listening to your own rhythms.

I've never tried drumming - I'm not very musical and have no reliable sense of rhythm.  My son is much more musical than I am.

I've seen people drumming in circles in some of the fun days they have in Glasgow parks.  I enjoy listening to it and watching - people seem to move in and out them throughout the day. In fact, they might be at Glasgow Green this weekend for May Day - must go and check it out!

I've been to conventions that had drum circle as part of the activities.  Parts of those events were very traumatic for me. The problem was that when I thought I was attending a lecture on something that sounded like a straight forward topic, they filled it with "woo-woo" ceremonies that everyone was required to participate in.  Yikes!  I HATE being put on the spot and I shrink from emotional-spiritual-energy-woowoo kind of stuff. I'm not the lets-all-hold-hands-and-cry type or the lets-reach-bonded-consciousness-together type. After they made us hold hands and stare into the eyes of the stranger next to us for a length of time, I was certain I didn't want to attend the drumming, nor can I dance.

grizeldatee,
  But did the bass solo begin?  

  -BobB

  A guy goes on vacation to a tropical island. As soon as he gets off the plane, he hears drums. He thinks "Wow, this is cool." He goes to the beach, he hears the drums, he eats lunch, he hears drums, he goes to a luau, he hears drums. He TRIES to go to sleep, he hears drums.

  This goes on for several nights, and gets to the point where the guy can’t sleep at night because of the drums. Finally, he goes down to the front desk. When he gets there, he asks the manager "Hey! What’s with these drums. Don’t they ever stop? I can’t get any sleep."

  The manager says, "No! Drums must NEVER stop. Very bad if drums stop."

  "Why?"

  "When drums stop . . . bass solo begins."

  (Just in case you've never heard the joke)

  -BobB