“This Is Like My First Support Group”: The Benefits of Online Music Group with Young Autistic Women in Indonesia

Many music therapy practices with autistic people have focused on intervention with autistic children. There are a growing number of studies reporting that many autistic adults experience loneliness and negative mental health outcomes. In Indonesia, support for autistic adults is complicated by the various understandings influenced by traditional and spiritual beliefs and limited acceptance of autism in the general public. Therefore, there is a need for psychosocial support for this age group in a format and style that suits their preferences and needs. This article describes the emerging practice of an online music group with six autistic young women aged 20–24 in Indonesia. This group met weekly for 12 weeks and was facilitated by a qualified music therapist. We identified four themes using reflexive thematic analysis, including “eagerness to connect,” “sharing music and life stories,” “being with people who accept and affirm autistic people,” and “entering a supportive autistic community.” Learnings from this emerging practice suggest that an online music group could support identity formation and solidarity by offering these autistic young women the opportunity to see themselves and become mirrors for their peers. The findings highlight the potential of facilitated online meetings for the autistic community, particularly young adults, to explore their identity and develop a sense of community.