"The Use of I and Me"; music therapy with an autistic child

Journal/Book: Journal of British Music Therapy. 1990; 4: Herfortshire, UK. British Society for Music Therapy/APMT 69 Avondale Avenue East Barnet EN4 8NB Hertfordshire UK. 15-18.

Abstract: This paper provides an account of three significant stages in 18 months of music therapy with an autistic child, Rosa, whom I met when she was nearly two and a half years old. First I introduce her, summarising my understanding of "autism" and the role of music therapy: the approach is psycho-dynamic, influenced by Klein, Winnicott, and Tustin. Then I give a detailed description of a session six months after we started working together. I conclude with an interpretation of the change in our relationship a year later. Four autistic features emerge: (i) destruction and negation followed by repair and affirmation; (ii) confusion of zones; (iii) infantile sexuality; (iv) a sense of emptiness. "But as he grows he gathers much,, And learns the use of 'I', and 'me'." Tennyson, In Memoriam.

Keyword(s): autistic-child, music-therapy, psychodynamic-relationship, assessment.

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