Andy

2024

Andy is a 7 year old boy with a diagnosis of Autism and additional learning needs. Andy is also on a ‘child in need’ care plan, stepped down from a ‘child protection plan’, due to concerns about his wellbeing and stability within his home life. Andy attends a specialist primary school for children with special educational needs.

Andy was referred to music therapy by the Assistant Head of School due to his social and emotional presentation being quite passive, coupled with the recent instability in his home life. It was felt that Music Therapy could offer him a space for developing positive relationship experiences, self-expression, and communication.

Andy attended 20 weekly, individual Music Therapy sessions with a second-year music therapy trainee, supervised by an experienced Music Therapist at the same school setting. In the early phases of therapy, Andy presented as being very withdrawn and in his own world. He was also prone to running away during transitions within the school and needed support from staff in order to attend Music Therapy.

As sessions progressed, play and musical forms of play were established as a way of building
a therapeutic relationship with Andy and to develop his social confidence. This involved activities including: ‘action songs’ and turn-taking improvisations using musical instruments. During this phase of therapy, instances of running away reduced significantly and Andy became familiar with the therapy routine, appearing to look forward to Music Therapy sessions when greeted by the therapist.

By the later stages of therapy Andy presented as being much more confident, happy and socially interactive within sessions, often initiating play with the therapist and remembering games from previous sessions. He also started to use his voice much more in sessions. This began with very quiet vocalisations and developed into much bolder, more musical use of his voice during activities.

Staff report that Andy seems much happier and socially interactive within class following Music Therapy. Play has been identified as a key area for continuing to develop Andy’s social confidence and emotional expression. Recommendations were made by the multi-disciplinary team for Andy to receive further Music Therapy input going forward.

Oliver Swan, Music Therapy Trainee, Ealing Music Therapy.