1. Music Therapy A brief guide

9. Assessment Period Six week assessment. Each session lasted forty five minutes. James initially apprehensive – not sure what he should do. I played simple chords on piano, James played phrases above. Further sessions offered, with a view to long term work

10. Emerging theme of Opposites: explored through various methods Improvisation at the piano. Structured improvisation on other instruments. Sandplay work.

16. The Therapy Room

20. Theme: Progress Developing relationship creating safe place Joint play able to show distress as well as happiness Physical contact musical contact Emotional contact

21. Theme: Distance important to give J space - let him initiate contact Physical distance emotional distance Room large enough sometimes J doesn’t want to for J to retreat be really close and intimate J sits on work surface I stay at piano I allow him to be more “autistic” I continue to respond to him musically, enough to let him know I’m still there

22. Theme: Contact emotional physical musical (feeds into and fed by both) Contact can be with Me instruments aspects of himself affectionate “non-autistic”/ autistic flicking sign of relationship need for reassurance checking environment genuine warmth difficult life stage need to feel safe (adolescence) J needs safe, consistent relationship and environment in which he can confront and express confusing emotions and developments