PV Gap

Cathy Said:

Can autism be related to listening to music a LOT?

We Answered:

Sure. Music is relaxing for a lot of people, both autistic and neurotypical. But those of us on the spectrum tend to have more anxiety, so we really need the relaxation and the escape from the outside world that music can provide. I'm also a big fan of music.

Obsessions, need for routine, and high tolerance for repetition are major features of autism. As most of us have auditory sensitivities, this could explain both the fixation on music and the need for high quality. One thing I've noticed in myself is that once I start doing something regularly, it becomes necessary. When I started keeping a journal, for example, writing in it every night quickly became an unalterable part of my routine. It could be the same with your music. Once you started listening to music a lot, maybe it just kind of stuck.