‘More than just music’: a multimodal intervention supporting adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in a community-based program in Shanghai

Objectives Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects communication, social interaction, and emotional expression, requiring multifaceted interventions. While Music Therapy (MT) is widely applied, its integration with structured education, real-life social practice, and technology-assisted methods may further enhance its effectiveness. This study evaluates the MT Plus (MT+) model developed by the Shanghai Angel Autism Salon (SAAS), which integrates traditional MT with structured academic instruction (LOVE CLASSROOM), vocational social training (A-COFFEE), and AI-assisted digital art to support adolescents with ASD.Methods Fifty-two adolescents with ASD participated in this intervention. Pre- and post-intervention outcomes were assessed using the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Parenting Stress Index–Short Form (PSI-SF). Independent t-tests and regression analyses were conducted to evaluated changes.Results Significant improvements were observed in sensory processing, social interaction, motor skills, language, and self-care (Cohen’s d: 1.52–2.26), with the most substantial gain in self-care (88.42%). Parental stress and dysfunctional interactions decreased, particularly in child manageability (50.54%). AI-assisted components enhanced sensory outcomes (p = 0.005), and participation in A-COFFEE led to notable development in language skills (p = 0.040). Better child behavior was associated with lower parental stress (R2 = 0.325, p < 0.0001).Conclusions The MT+ model presents a holistic, community-based approach to improving outcomes for adolescents with ASD. Further research using randomized controlled trials is recommended. These findings suggest that the MT+ intervention may offer a promising community-based model for enhancing social communication, emotional regulation, and adaptive functioning in adolescents with autism.