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Monday, May 15, 2006

Music Therapy Answer to a Wide Range of Ills

Published: Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Staff Reporter

MUSIC therapy can be used to help children and adults with a wide range of needs arising from causes including learning difficulties, mental and physical illness, stress and terminal illness, a resource person said yesterday.

“Emotional, cognitive and developmental needs can be addressed through interactive music making within a secure relationship offered by the music therapist,” Jacqueline Robarts from Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre, UK, explained.

A senior lecturer and therapist at the Centre in North London where over 200 children and adults receive music therapy weekly, Robarts was speaking at the First Annual International Forum on Children with Special Needs, which concluded yesterday.

The Nordoff-Robbins approach to music therapy, developed from the pioneering work of Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins in the 1950 and 60s, is grounded in the belief that everyone can respond to music, no matter how ill or disabled.

The unique qualities of music as therapy can enhance communication, support change, and enable people to live more resourcefully and creatively.

As an example of a child who has benefited from music therapy, she cited the case of Lisa, a five-year old girl with Down’s syndrome, who used to create havoc at home by her hyperactive behaviour, uncontrollable temper tantrums and inability to respond to her parents.

“In music therapy Lisa found a place where her energy and ability can be channelled into something purposeful and creative.”

Lisa became motivated to listen and respond to the music both in singing and playing, and this in turn helped her to develop her concentration and language skills.

Her moods can be expressed through the improvised music, and she discovers a new way of communicating her feelings. “Over a period of three years, she developed self-confidence and self-control, and an ability to make positive relationships,” Robarts said.