MSU’s recent sensory-friendly concert on Sept. 20 one of many group experiences available with support of Centerstone Autism Center  

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — On Sept. 20, Centerstone’s Autism Center partnered with the Missouri State Symphony Orchestra to present the third-annual Sensory-Friendly Orchestra Concert at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts on the Missouri State University campus. This free, sensory-safe and family-friendly concert is one of many group events Centerstone supports or leads that are tailored to individuals with autism, sensory sensitivities and their families.  

At the concert, audience members were welcome and encouraged to respond to the music with their voices, movements, and hearts. Fidget toys were provided by Centerstone’s partners at MSU’s Project ACCESS, and team members from the Centerstone Autism Center supervised a quiet room during the performance.  

“The sensory-friendly concert is one of the highlights of our year,” said Dr. Seth Allen, director of Centerstone’s Autism Center. “Helping create meaningful and inclusive experiences is at the heart of our mission, and we’re proud to partner with the Missouri State University Orchestra to offer an interactive, high-quality, entertaining and welcoming performance for people of all abilities.”  

The first sensory-friendly concert took place in 2024, after the MSU Orchestra’s conductor, Dr. Yi-Ping Chen, reached out to Allen with the idea. Chen previously hosted sensory-friendly concerts with her community orchestra in Lexington, Virginia, and brought the concept with her to Springfield. Allen was quick to offer the Autism Center’s support.  

“Seeing it happen the first year was exciting and extremely rewarding, especially after hearing extremely positive feedback from the community after the first event,” Allen said. 

Jill Overturf, a therapist at the Autism Center, has attended the performances and recalled watching attendees look at one another, questioning whether it was OK to move around during a classical music performance. They are often hesitant at first, even with encouragement from the stage, she said. By the end of the show, she said, the whole audience was interacting with confidence and joy. 

“This just goes to show how highly needed these concerts are to our population who love to move and interact but are often told to stop or are given limits in this area,” Overturf said.  

The first two concerts took place when the Centerstone Autism Center was known as the Burrell Autism Center. This fall, Burrell is adopting the Centerstone name as part of the merger between its parent company and Centerstone. While the Autism Center is changing names, its team members continue to offer empathetic, research-based care to individuals and families they serve. Learn more about the merger here.  

Potential embedded video could be added here: MSU Orchestra in action 

Orchestral music can be ‘profoundly meaningful’ to autistic individuals 

The theme for the 2026 concert was “Feelin’ Alive,” and Allen said he has watched that experience happen time and again for individuals with autism who attended the first two sensory-friendly performances.  

“Music can be a profoundly meaningful sensory experience for many autistic individuals,” he said. “Orchestral music often provides rich, structured sensory stimulation that can be calming, engaging and emotionally restorative rather than overwhelming. Sensory-friendly concerts blend accessibility, accommodation, community inclusion and artistic excellence, and that creates an environment that adapts to the audience’s needs instead of expecting the audience to adapt to the environment.” 

For many attendees, Allen said, the free concert is also the first time they’ve ever experienced a live orchestral performance. The environment, curated for those with autism, allows them to fully experience the emotional and cultural power of live music. The MSU Orchestra contributes immensely to that experience, he said.  

“Dr. Yi-Ping Chen and the orchestra bring exceptional energy, talent and compassion to the event, making it a memorable annual tradition for families across our community,” Allen said.  

Sensory-friendly concert just one of many group events Centerstone’s Autism Center support 

Shared experiences can be transformative for individuals with autism, Allen said, which is why Centerstone’s Autism Services team organizes several group programs centered around shared life experiences as well as others tied to their patients’ favorite activities.  

Groups help create a more connected and supportive community, inviting patients and caregivers to build meaningful relationships. 

“There’s something powerful about realizing you’re not alone,” Allen said. “And also, groups are fun. It’s awesome, relational and interactional, all through a shared experience.”   

Overturf agreed. Through both youth and adult groups, she has seen people who once struggled with self-esteem, social acceptance, or a sense of belonging have gained social skills, developed leadership abilities, built supportive relationships, and found the confidence to pursue new opportunities and greater independence in their lives. 

“Running group sessions provides an opportunity for participants to experience social interactions in a safe and supported environment,” Overturf said. “They can explore and ‘try’ behaviors with others who know and accept them and with direct and immediate support from a clinician.” 

These groups are open to Centerstone patients as well as community members who would benefit from joining. Most take place over eight- or 12- to 16-week sessions. For more information about available groups, call 417-761-5330.