17 March,2026 05:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Suga
Min Yoon-gi, widely known as Suga from BTS, has taken on a new role as an author. The rapper has co-written a clinical manual that uses music to help children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder develop social and communication skills.
The manual introduces a therapeutic program called MIND, which stands for Music-Interaction-Network-Diversity. It is designed as a structured social-skills training system that combines music activities with established therapeutic techniques. The initiative was developed in collaboration with Professor Chun Geun-ah, a specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry, along with researchers at Severance Hospital in Seoul.
The idea behind the program is that music can provide a more accessible and engaging way for children with developmental challenges to communicate and connect with others. Traditional social-skills training often relies heavily on verbal communication, which may not be effective for everyone. By incorporating music into therapy, the MIND program aims to create a more natural environment for interaction and emotional expression.
Participants in the program take part in a variety of musical activities, such as choosing instruments, playing in small groups and collaborating on performances. These sessions are designed to encourage cooperation, build confidence and improve the ability to recognize emotions in others. Through these interactive exercises, children gradually develop stronger social awareness and communication skills.
The manual outlines a 12-session therapy program that progresses in stages. It begins with simple interaction exercises that help participants feel comfortable in group settings. As the sessions continue, the focus shifts toward understanding emotions, sharing information and participating in more complex collaborative musical tasks.
The guide also includes practical strategies for therapists and educators. Drawing on behavioral therapy principles, it provides detailed instructions on how to manage challenges that may arise during sessions and how to adapt the activities to different learning needs.
Early pilot sessions of the program have reportedly shown encouraging results. Researchers observed improvements in participants' willingness to interact, as well as better nonverbal communication and emotional engagement. In one memorable moment from the pilot program, children who took part formed a group called the Severance MIND Band and performed together, demonstrating the progress they had made.
Suga's role in the project went beyond simply supporting it publicly. He contributed ideas during the development stage and also volunteered as a music instructor during early sessions, working directly with the children and observing their growth.
With the manual now published, the team hopes the MIND program can be adopted by therapists and educators around the world, using music as a powerful tool to help young people with autism build meaningful social connections.
