The Best Piano Method for Neurodivergent Learners

I’m back today with more love for our neurodivergent learners with ADHD and ASD! Recently, I shared my best practices for teaching these wonderful students, and today I’m thrilled to follow up with my top piano method series recommendation based on my 10 years (and counting!) of teaching.

As a busy mom and piano teacher, I’ve tested this method with my own students, and it’s been a game-changer. Let’s dive into why.

In this blog post…

• A Quick Look Back: Reviewing Our Best Practices
• Why Faber’s Piano Adventures Shines for Neurodivergent Learners
• Even More Reasons to Love It!
• How It Pairs With Our Best Practices

A Quick Look Back: Review Our Best Practices

In my last post, we explored six key strategies to support neurodivergent piano students:

• Creating a predictable routine with visual schedules
• Breaking lessons into short, fun chunks with movement breaks
• Using visual and hands-on tools like color-coded music
• Celebrating small wins with positive reinforcement
• Allowing creativity and going with the flow
• Staying flexible and patient to adapt to their needs.

Those tips have been a lifeline for me, and they set the stage for finding the right method for these wonderful students. Though I love to use the fun and modern Wunderkeys method with several of my students, I found it is not a good fit for my students with ADHD and ASD. Instead, I have found that Faber’s Piano Adventures is a much better fit for my neurodivergent students.

Let’s see how Faber fits into my approach and why it’s my go-to.

The Best Piano Method for Neurodivergent Learners? Faber’s Piano Adventures. Here’s Why It Shines!

Based on my experience and insights from other teachers, here’s what makes this method a perfect match:

• Clutter-Free Pages:The layouts are clean and simple, which my ASD students love – it cuts down on distractions and helps them focus on the music, not the extras!
• Focused Books: With separate lesson, performance, theory, and technique books, my ADHD students stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. The structure is like a cozy guide through their piano journey.
• Logical Concept Flow: Concepts build step-by-step with plenty of practice, letting my neurodivergent students master skills at their own pace – perfect for those wiggly ADHD moments or ASD rabbit trails.

Even More Reasons to Love It

I’ve dug deeper and found more ways this method supports neurodivergent students, shared by teachers and students online:

• The Books Encourage Variety Without Overwhelm: The fun supplemental book series like PreTime, ChordTime, FunTime, and ShowTime offer diverse genres on the same level which keep ADHD students’ hyperfocus alive and thriving! An adult beginner with ADHD raved about switching between books – like Disney tunes or classics – without feeling scattered. For ASD learners, customizing the order reduces sensory overload.
• Strong Support for Performance and Improvisation: The Performance Book builds confidence with short, achievable songs. This lets impulsive ADHD energy thrive on stage (or, for virtual recitals, the Zoom stage). For ASD students, the step-by-step prep (echo patterns, simple improv) eases transitions. One teacher noted how experimenting without fear of mistakes helps neurodivergent kids avoid freezing up.
• Visual and Aural Aids That Cater to Different Processing Styles: Beyond clean pages, the aural focus – listening before reading – supports learners with dyslexia, ADHD, or ASD. Teachers suggest echo patterns to test memory, and Faber’s online videos or using the Sproutbeat app make it seamless. For me, this turns theory into sound, reducing frustration for fidgety or visual-processing students. Clapping the echo patterns also automatically turns it into a movement activity! As we’ve mentioned before, movement activities are excellent for neurodivergent brains.
• Pacing That’s Just Right for Building Focus and Coping Skills: The steady progression through concepts promotes impulse control for ADHD and routine for ASD students. With chunked sessions and breaks, meltdowns turn into “aha!” moments. The online theory support and the Sproutbeat app add flexibility for busy families like mine!

Why This Fits With Our Best Practices

Faber’s Piano Adventures ties perfectly to our strategies. The predictable book structure supports routines, the short exercises fit chunked lessons, and visual/aural aids enhance hands-on learning. This method amplifies the flexibility and patience we need for our neurodivergent students.

Join the Piano Teachers’ Studio Summit to Explore More!

Ready to adapt Faber’s Piano Adventures for your neurodivergent students? Check out our upcoming Piano Teachers’ Studio Summit workshops and learn more details about teaching diverse learners as well as lesson activities and tech tips. Click here to learn more about our workshop series and reserve your spot.

Have you ever tried Faber’s Piano Adventures with neurodivergent students? Share your experiences in the comments – I’d love to learn from you, too! Let’s keep making piano a joyful adventure for every learner!