Teresa Culverwell writes -

Is there any information out there about music and how to use it as a means of communication?

I have a 12 year old son with complex needs but who only makes noises, can pat the interactive computer to change the pictures, who is finally enjoying some music therapy after years of asking for more at his school review, and ......

who apparently is pitch perfect with the notes!!!

The music therapist noticed that he copies some of the music being played, he often vocalises to Classic FM Radio, prefers violins, and Gregorian Chant, but is still very eclectic in his taste - from Queen to nursery rhymes - to Paganini's Violin Concerto no. 1 in D!

It may also be early days, but he appears to vocalise 3 notes in a row after hearing some music.

He possibly uses a bit of sign language - indicating he wants the disco lights that we have in his room (used by our older son in between times for DJ'ing), also signs clever boy in a very fast way like they do in advanced BSL!

Where do I go from here?

Is there anyone out there already using music with speech & language therapy and music therapy in order to produce sounds or make words into sounds in order to communicate?

The other day we sat down in the International Convention Centre - and he vocalised the notes, at the right pitch of  

            - people talking at a certain level,

            - a lady walking by in stiletto shoes and she produced 3 notes with a quick click on the second       and third note,

            - the right note of the air conditioning machine, and

            - at the Victoria Fountain he discovered and vocalised at least 3 notes of water cascading down    the steps by the town hall!

This has opened up my eyes and I am now listening out for other children who move with the sounds of music and other things, and who might also be vocalising when we think they are just making awkward noises.

Has anyone else got any helpful suggestions, or know what I'm going on about?

Teresa Culverwell
Parent of a pmld child.

E-mail: teresa_culverwell@yahoo.co.uk

Peter Limbrick writes – I have a very great respect for the work of qualified music therapists and would like to feature music therapy in the Interconnections Quarterly Journal. Any offers?

Contact p.limbrick@virgin.net