A – Case Study

A was referred to music therapy following a session in the residential unit, in order to develop his communication skills and his attention span. He is two years old and is diagnosed with short gut syndrome which affects his digestion meaning he has a central line to support his digestion. 

A has attended 22 individual music therapy sessions at Richard House all of which have been attended by either mum or dad and is working towards finishing these sessions so that he will have had a total of 25. 

When I first met A he came across as shy, needing some reassurance from mum or dad, however he was keen to explore the instruments. As the therapeutic relationship develops he has become more trusting and he understands the structure and format of sessions. Mum says he looks forward to sessions and he called me “Mimi” and knows that I am the music therapist.

During the initial sessions A often lost focus, his interactions were brief and fleeting and he would throw instruments when he had finished playing them, due to the inability to communicate verbally that he wanted something different. As sessions have progressed we have worked on A’s ability to communicate verbally and through music and he is now able to tell me when he wants something different by saying “enough” or “no more”.

His vocabulary has increased massively over the course of the sessions and he now primarily uses his voice to communicate. His attention span has also developed as he is able to sustain longer interactions and also listen to instructions. 

In sessions A explores a range of different instruments. He enjoys playing musical games such as switching the piano on and off whilst I create a game by singing “where has the music gone” until A turns it back on, which allows him the opportunity to be in control. We have also explored the clarinet each week, A enjoys building a tower out of the clarinet and also listening to the different sounds it makes. When he has had enough he will say “Mimi no more clarinet”.

 

“A really enjoys his music therapy sessions. They give him a space where he is in control of his environment and can lead the session and be creative. He has gone from crashing about to very clearly saying what he would like to do and combining instruments. He has also started playing guitar along with Amelia and he loves that. He looks forward to seeing her every week”
A's Mum

It has been a delight to work with A and see his communication skills develop over time. We have formed a close relationship and I will always remember creating a clarinet tower with him, something which became an important part of our sessions together. 

If you or someone you know would benefit from music therapy, please get in touch. Make a referral below and contact us with any questions you may have – we are happy to help.

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