Blondie drummer Clem Burke says drumming in UK schools helps children with autism

LONDON – Blondie drummer Clem Burke on Wednesday said adding drumming to the British school curriculum could be a “game changer” for children with autism, after a study found as little as 90 minutes a week offered benefits.

A study conducted as part of the Clem Burke Drumming Project found children with the condition who learnt to play the drums showed better control of their emotions and fewer signs of hyperactivity, inattention and repetitive behaviour.

“This landmark study is the first of its kind to show how the brain responds positively to drumming, and how it can help children with autism and other social and emotional difficulties,” said Burke, 68.

“Given the pressure schools are facing trying to deal with a huge rise in the number of children experiencing social and emotional problems and learning difficulties, adding short drumming sessions to the curriculum could be a game changer at minimal cost and effort.”

The American veteran musician played at Glastonbury in June with Blondie, the legendary post-punk band that have been fronted by American singer Debbie Harry, 78, since 1974.

British schools have more than 166,000 children with autism, an 8 per cent increase on 2020, government figures show.

Although 70 per cent are in mainstream schools, research has found three-quarters of parents do not feel their child’s needs are fully met.

As part of the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal in 2022, those aged 16 to 20 with no drumming experience were given two 45-minute lessons each week for two months.

They had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before and after the sessions, while researchers asked their guardians about recent behavioural difficulties.

Results showed that those who improved their drumming skills saw an improvement in their condition.

MRI scans revealed changes to their brain function linked to overall behaviour.

Dr Ruth Lowry, an exercise psychologist at the University of Essex and co-author of the study, said the research provided the first evidence of neurological adaptations from learning to play the drums, specifically for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

Further research is being conducted in schools around the United Kingdom to back up the initial findings and the work is being showcased at the UK’s Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, which runs until Sunday.

The Clem Burke Drumming Project was founded in 2008 by Burke and two academics at British universities.

It initially set out to examine the physiological demands of playing live, but grew into an exploration of the physical and mental health benefits of drumming. AFP