ND Music AcademyA Predictable Routine
Lessons follow a familiar shape from week to week, with a clear plan for each session, so students know what is coming next.
Music Lessons for ASD & ADHD
Private lessons in your home across the San Fernando Valley, or online, built around how each student learns.
Lessons That Fit the Learner
ND Music Academy has years of experience teaching students on the Autism Spectrum (ASD) and students with ADHD.
Our founder, Noah Donnelly, holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from California State University, Los Angeles, and teaches at Jazz Hands for Autism as a Multi-Instrument & Music Instructor. We teach children, teens, and adults, and the same approach helps students of all learning styles and abilities.
What a Lesson Looks Like
Structure and flexibility, in the right balance for each student.
Short Goals, Frequent Wins
We break skills into small steps and celebrate each one. Short, varied activities and frequent positive reinforcement keep students motivated.
Visual and Hands-On
Visual aids, chord shapes, and music games turn abstract ideas into something students can see and touch.
Flexible Pacing
We slow down, take a break, or switch activities when a student needs it, and we make sure the foundations are solid before moving on.
Planned Around Your Child
You know your child best. Tell us what helps, and we'll build lessons around it.
A Familiar Space
Lessons happen in your home or online, so there's no new building, waiting room, or commute to adjust to.
Communication and Comfort
Let us know about communication preferences, sensitivity to sound, or anything else that matters, from volume to how breaks work.
Music They Love
Favorite songs are a powerful motivator, so we bring the music your child already enjoys into lessons.
Between Lessons
Practice works best when everyone knows what to work on.
Families get access to our online student portal, with each lesson's plan, homework, and a practice log. Some students also get a practice page with play-along tools and a printable one-page version for the music stand or the fridge.
Choosing a First Instrument
There's no wrong answer. Interest matters more than anything else.
For younger students, ukulele is a great first step before guitar: it's small and light, and the chord shapes carry straight over to guitar later. Pianois a great choice for almost anyone. It lays music theory out right in front of you, and it doesn't demand as much fine motor skill as guitar. A keyboard at home helps a lot. And we recommend drums for every student, because rhythm is the foundation of all music; the main hurdle is the cost of a drum kit at home. Not sure? We can help you decide at the first lesson. See all classes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from parents about music lessons for ASD and ADHD.
Is this music therapy?
No. We are music teachers, not music therapists. Our lessons focus on learning to play and understand music, taught in a way that fits how each student learns. We don’t provide therapy or clinical treatment.
Does my child need a diagnosis to take lessons?
No. Our lessons are open to every student. If your child has a diagnosis, or you simply know what helps them learn, tell us and we’ll plan around it.
What ages do you teach?
We teach children, teens, and adults. Every student is different, and lessons are adapted to each student’s age, goals, and learning style.
Where do lessons take place?
In your home across the San Fernando Valley, including Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Burbank, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Valley Village, and Tarzana, or online from anywhere. Learning in a familiar space can make a new activity feel more comfortable.
What if my child has a hard day?
That’s okay. We adjust on the fly. If a task becomes a roadblock, we pivot to something else or take a movement break. We can shorten tasks, add breaks between them, or set a break timer if that works better for your child. Whatever the day looks like, we meet each student where they are and tailor the lesson to them.
Can Regional Center funding be used for lessons?
ND Music Academy is not currently vendored with a Regional Center, but we work with families on a case-by-case basis to provide the invoicing and documentation needed for Regional Center reimbursement. Families in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) may have more flexibility.
How much do lessons cost?
Lessons are $50 for 30 minutes, $70 for 45 minutes, and $90 for 60 minutes. New students receive 50% off their first 3 lessons.
Let's find the right fit
Book a lesson and tell us about your child in the message box. We read every one before the first lesson.
Book a Lesson