A step in the right direction: Suggested strategies for implementing music therapy with the multihandicapped child

Journal/Book: Music Therapy Perspectives. 1989; Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. National Association for Music Therapy 8455 Colesville Rd., Suite 930 20910 Silver Spring, Maryland USA. journal article.

Abstract: This paper is presented from the perspective of the therapist/educator. The author believes that she is in a unique position to combine theory and practice and to help the student establish the link between academic knowledge and clinical practice. The clinical aspects of this paper focus on the mentally retarded, neurologically impaired child. Three basic principles are proposed for the delivery of music therapy services with these clients: to observe what the client is saying, to restructure the environment, and to establish realistic goals addressing each client's individual uniqueness. Several case studies are presented involving student-therapists and patients which illustrate the three principles. The author advises that therapists must be able to respond quickly to changes in the environment both musically and nonmusically. Non-musical aspects of therapy include eye-contact, facial affect, touch, movement, and posture. Musical aspects include instrumentation, use of the voice, and musical interaction. The author concludes that the client's performance is not to be judged or forced.

Keyword(s): music-therapy, multiple-disabilities, mental-retardation, developmental-disabilities, neurological-impairment.

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