Our therapists are experienced in engaging children and young people with a wide range of needs including Autistic Spectrum Conditions, Learning Disabilities, Developmental Conditions, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, Mental Health Problems, Attachment issues, Sensory Issues, ADHD and Dyspraxia.
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Autistic Spectrum Conditions
An important area of RMT provision is our work with children on the Autistic Spectrum. Music therapy is now widely recognised as an effective form of therapy for children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and is frequently requested by parents.
In our practice we regularly witness the significant benefits of Music Therapy to children with ASC and Learning Disabilities.
Testimonials
“The children become extremely focussed during the Music Therapy sessions; they are able to settle and engage more than in other group activities.”
Class teacher from school for children with severe learning disabilities and Autism
“The Music Therapy sessions are amazing; I have never seen the children so engaged.”
Teaching assistant from school for children with severe learning disabilities and Autism
“…is not usually able to be in groups; however, in the Music Therapy group he is able to sit and be with the other children. He really engages through the music.”
Teaching assistant from school for children with severe learning disabilities and Autism
“It’s great to see him chill out with someone. He loves singing with you and talking with you.”
Mother of teenage boy with Autism
“As he came to trust and value his relationship with his Music Therapist he gradually embraced sound as a much needed source of expression and an outlet for his emotions…… Music has become an important part of his life and his rapport with his therapist has been key to his development. As his appreciation of music grows, so too does his ability to communicate. He now has more common ground with his siblings, peer group and the wider world.”
Father of a 14 year old boy with Autism
Music Therapy can be a useful form of therapy for children of all levels of ability and can provide a stepping stone to formal instrumental lessons. The following case study gives a vivid example:
“My son is 10½ years old, has Asperger’s Syndrome and has been going to weekly Music Therapy sessions for over two years. When he began Music Therapy, he was having a very difficult time in school which had begun to affect his home life as well. His attention span was fleeting, he was very easily distracted and he would avoid any kind of confrontation (good or bad).
We are now in a much more positive place and my son is in full-time education in a mainstream setting. He is confident, happy, and is about to take his Grade 2 saxophone and has taken up Karate (currently a purple & white belt!).
For him to have sufficient levels of concentration to take up a musical instrument (which he did ten months ago) or to attend Karate classes would have been unthinkable two years ago.
Music Therapy has been our rock over the last two and a half years. The weekly sessions have been a place of sanctuary for my son when things were very difficult. Over time, he has increased his confidence and ability to work to another’s agenda (in this case the Music Therapist’s) in a safe, creative setting.
Between them, my son and the music therapist explored magical, hidden and sometimes dangerous worlds. Long stories involving characters in his life were played out, with music, behind the therapy room doors.
These days my son brings his saxophone to the therapy sessions and the music therapist and my boy play and sing together – inventing songs and sounds as they go.
The therapy sessions will, I think, come to a natural end at some point. But they will have played an important part in my son’s development and ongoing ability to manage life.”
Referrals can be made by parents, carers or any professional working with the client within an educational, health or social care setting. Once we receive your completed form we will contact you to arrange an initial Music Therapy Assessment.
Refer a child/young person
Children with Emotional & Behavioural difficulties
As part of the policy framework of ‘Every Child Matters’, RMT is engaged in providing therapeutic support to children attending mainstream schools who have additional emotional and behavioural needs.
Through Music Therapy we offer difficult-to-reach children the opportunity to engage in a therapeutic relationship, enabling the development of new and positive ways of being and engaging with others. As part of this, awareness and insight into emotions and behaviour can occur. Music Therapy provides a stepping stone to re-engaging with classroom learning and encourages constructive engagement in education and society.
Testimonials
“It makes me feel good inside”
9 year old boy with emotional /behavioural issues
“My son has been in Music Therapy for a year. We had been struggling with his emotional and aggressive outbursts at home and a difficulty in getting him to attend school. He had been to many therapies in a bid to help him regulate his overwhelming feelings since his placement with us for adoption several years ago. The weekly therapy he has received has been remarkably successful. He is able to express himself more freely and his empathy has developed. We have never had the same issues over going to school! On top of all this he really enjoys the sessions and they are fostering his listening and creativity skills.”
Mother of 9-year old boy presenting with emotional /behavioural issues
Referrals can be made by parents, carers or any professional working with the client within an educational, health or social care setting. Once we receive your completed form we will contact you to arrange an initial Music Therapy Assessment.
Click here to refer a child/young person
Music Therapy in Schools
In addition to our work with special schools and special units Richmond Music Trust is strongly committed to providing access to Music Therapy for children with additional needs who attend mainstream schools. We believe strongly in early intervention and targeting children with additional needs before problems become unmanageable. We actively involve parents, teachers and carers in our therapeutic work and this leads to the emergence of improved and deepened understanding of the child’s difficulties and also to the development of better strategies in education and parenting.
We offer schools two Music Therapy options:
Service Level Agreement
Schools can contract service packages on a year by year basis, offering Music Therapy to selected children on their premises. In this situation Music Therapy is usually embedded into the overall educational environment and includes strong liaison with teaching staff and any other relevant professionals. The therapist will take a proactive role to support the integration of music therapy into the school environment and this may include providing training sessions/music therapy workshops to staff and parents.
If you would like to explore this option please contact Andreas Rosenboom.
Direct Referral
Many schools are not in the position to contract our Music Therapy services on an ongoing basis but might occasionally have a child they are concerned about to whom they would like to offer therapeutic support. Concerns may include emotional and/or behavioural issues or mental health issues. Referrals to our service can be made by a SENCO but also by teaching staff or parents.
Refer a child or a young person at your school for music therapy.