Autism, ADHD, & Special Needs Piano Lessons in Pasadena
Adaptive piano built around
every learner
Your child doesn’t need to fit into lessons. The lessons can fit your child.
Our special needs piano classes are educational music instruction—not music therapy. We help students build skills & pride each week.
“Piano is the only activity my kid doesn’t say no to. He’ll say no to other activities, but when it’s time for his lesson, he wants to go.” – Parent of a piano student
We support learners including:
Children, teens, and adults with autism
ADHD and attention differences
Sensory-sensitive learners
Students who benefit from structured, step-by-step instruction
Neurodivergent learners of all ages
We often begin at age 7 to ensure focus, motor skills, and readiness, setting them up for success.
Lessons are taught by Katarina, who has 13 years of experience teaching students with ADHD and autism and a Master’s Degree in teaching piano.
This means if your child gets stuck, she won’t just say, “try it again.”
She also has ADHD herself, so she knows what it feels like when a lesson doesn’t fit the way your brain learns.
Reach out to piano for a free 15-minute call—see if our lessons would be a good fit for your child.
A Supportive Environment for their success
Structured, Inclusive Sessions
Each class is 30 minutes long and follows a clear and predictable routine so your child knows what to expect and can feel comfortable. Clearly written plans and visible schedules help neurodivergent learners feel calm & confident.
Step-by-Step Music Learning
We teach rhythm, music basics, and reading in a literal, hands-on way, showing exactly what to do for every note and rhythm — step by step, hand by hand, beat by beat. Students draw notes and music concepts for themselves. This adaptive approach helps learners understand and feel proud of their progress.
Classes Tailored for your Child
Every student learns in their own way. Our piano lessons for special needs are customized to their strengths, interests, & goals so they can celebrate every piano win. We use visual aids, supports, and teacher modeling to support reading and rhythm.
A Quiet Learning Space
A dedicated keyboard is set up in a quiet corner with minimal distractions. The simple, uncluttered space helps your child feel comfortable while they play. The space is deliberately simple, so the only things to look at are the keys and the page.
One Row at a Time
A full page of sheet music can overwhelm a student. When Katarina sees a student get confused, she covers everything except the row to play. Then the next row is uncovered, one at a time.
Ice Cream and Small Recitals
Instead of high pressure, formal recitals, we host small studio performances in Pasadena (complete with snacks and ice cream!) that allow students the chance to show off their accomplishments in a space that's safe and celebrated.
Students leave Katarina’s lessons feeling like “I can do this.”
Some people teach because they are paid to. Katarina loves teaching the music and watching her student progress. Katarina really gets to know her students and their individual abilities. My son loves going to her class.
— Cristina, mom
My son loves going to his piano classes. He really enjoys music, and as a kid with autism, I believe it’s helped him grow and develop. Thank you Ms. Kat!
— Mia, mom
My child loves the piano class. She has autism and I’m already seeing her growth in concentration & listening. She goes home and plays on her piano.
— Glaiza, mom
My son has autism. He is so excited to go to piano class. He has even asked if he can do lessons twice a week!
— Mom of a piano student
Frequently asked questions
How do you adapt piano lessons for kids & adults with special needs?
🎹 Every session is carefully structured & paced to match each learner’s unique needs, including accommodations for sensory sensitivities, slower processing, & difficulty with transitions.
✨ For nonverbal students, we simply point and ask “yes/no show me” questions. We ask them to demonstrate their understanding. Supports like written notes in their books are also used.
⭐ New material is prepared in advance and introduced in order, with each word & concept explained clearly and repeated as needed to ensure understanding.
⏳ We ask each child if they understand; if they don’t, that’s perfectly okay — we learn together, using the same wording each time so students knows what to expect.
🎶 We use supports like counting adapted for neurodivergent learners to understand timing & rhythm, writing notes in the music, and clear step-by-step instructions — your child feels calm and ready even with sensory or transition challenges.
📚 Our adaptive piano classes follow the same structure and we ask students, “are you ready to learn something new?” to help them feel calm & prepared.
Is the teacher qualified to work with neurodivergent students?
Absolutely. Your child will work solely with Katarina, a special needs piano teacher with 13 years experience working with diverse learners, including those with autism and ADHD. She has a Masters Degree in Piano Pedagogy, which means she studied how to teach.
She breaks down music concepts, even very complicated ones, in a way your child understands. She won’t just say ‘try it again.’ This helps them feel successful, rather than confused.
Beyond her formal training, Katarina has a deep personal understanding of neurodiversity (she has ADHD herself) and has 13 years of experience adapting piano classes so every learner experiences the same success and joy.
What does a typical session look like?
All of our Pasadena piano lessons are private lessons. We begin each class with a visible schedule. We focus on foundational skills like scales, chords, & technique. Then we cover songs.
New material is carefully prepared in advance so students can approach it successfully & feel ready. Lessons end with a positive goodbye, leaving them motivated for next time.
Can beginners join?
Absolutely! Our structured, adaptive piano lessons are designed for children & adults with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences, even if they have no prior experience.
How can I try a lesson?
Trying a lesson is easy! Book your time to speak directly with Katarina. During the call, we’ll talk about your child’s needs, answer any questions, and find the best time that works for you. Once we’ve connected, if it’s a good fit, your child’s trial will be scheduled & ready to go.
What will happen at the trial lesson?
Your child will feel comfortable and ready to learn. Katarina will greet you and your child, go over the lesson plan schedule—black & white keys, finger numbers, and simple music basics.
We end the piano class with a friendly goodbye!
tuition
Rates
Group lessons
$180/month
Weekly 60 Min. Lessons
Max 6 students
Includes All Recitals & Events
Free Starter Book
private Piano lessons
$209/month
Weekly 30 Min. Lessons
An average of 4 lessons a month (5th week included in the tuition)
Socials and events included
No extra fees. Books are the only additional cost.
Wondering if we're the right fit
for your child?
Finding the right learning environment matters.
Still have questions before you book?
We offer a low-pressure trial to see how they respond to the space and approach.
Step 1: See if we’re a good fit with Katarina
We’ll learn a bit about your child in a short phone call and make sure we are the right place for you
If our studio, style, or teacher isn’t the right fit—we won’t take it personally. No judgement, zero pressure.
Ready to Begin?
Have Questions?
