Music for Better Beginnings Lab
Music. Family. Connection.
Harnessing the power of music for autistic children and their families. We study how music can help young autistic children connect, communicate, and thrive — with parents at the center.
About the Lab
A research lab where families and science grow together
Music for Better Beginnings studies music interventions for young autistic children, ages one to five. We coach parents to use music strategies at home, and we deliver that support through telehealth, so more families can access it.
Our work is welcoming to families and rigorous for scholars — grounded in evidence, centered on the family experience, and built to make care more accessible.
Our research focus
Parent Coaching of Music Interventions
Coaching parents to use music strategies at home with their young autistic children, so everyday moments become opportunities to connect.
Virtual Parent Coaching
Delivering music therapy remotely, especially for underserved families who might otherwise never reach this kind of support.
Parent Wellbeing
Centering the family experience in music therapy research and intervention — because families are the experts on their own children.
Meet the Researcher
Eugenia Hernandez-Ruiz, PhD, MT-BC
Dr. Hernandez-Ruiz is Associate Professor of Music Therapy at Arizona State University. As a music therapist and researcher, she centers families of autistic children in her work. She studies how parents can use music to support their children’s development and wellbeing — both at home and through telehealth.
For Families
Participate in our research
Families are at the heart of everything we do. Participation can happen online or in person. We welcome children ages one to five, and adults of any age. No music experience needed — just curiosity and a willingness to share.
For Scholars & Peers
Selected publications
Hernandez-Ruiz, E. (2025). Parental demand, learning and satisfaction with virtual parent coaching of music interventions. Journal of Music Therapy, 62(1), https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thaf004
Hernandez-Ruiz, E. (2023). Virtual parent coaching of music interventions for young autistic children in Mexico. Music Therapy Perspectives 41(1), e21 -e29. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miac030
Hernandez-Ruiz, E. & Lehrer, G. (2022). ‘Music therapy was never on the table’: Perspectives of parents of young autistic children. Journal of Music Therapy 59(3), 307 – 339. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thac008
Hernandez-Ruiz, E. (2019). Parent coaching of music interventions for children with ASD: A conceptual framework. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2019.1647447
Get in Touch
Whether you’re a family interested in participating or a researcher looking to connect, we’d love to hear from you.
