Re: NEW MEMBER/music therapy

August 27, 2004

Hi ,

You're welcome...hope it helps! One more thing that I can't believe

that I forgot to mention is MUSIC THERAPY. It now seems to be fairly

well accepted as a viable therapy for children with autism. I have

never brought my son to a music therapist...mainly because I am one

myself, so, for now I am providing it for my son. My son's

impairment is fairly mild *if* he does have PDD, so I haven't felt a

strong need to bring him to someone trained in any specific music

therapy technique (such as Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy...founded by

composer Nordoff and special educator Clive Robbins...in my

professional opinion the most effective music therapy technique for

children with autism), but will if he regresses to that point.

Check out www.musictherapy.org to contact the American Music Therapy

Association (AMTA). They can give you names of local therapists

experienced in working with autistic children.

Also, I noticed someone mentioned sign language as a form of

communication...my son took a long time (4 months) to learn his first

sign, but now he is up to approximately 40, and might have more if I

bombarded him a little more. It is a great option, although not

every ST believes in it. Evan's therapists have been very supportive

of signing while still encouraging him to try to talk. I also think

that it has helped with his understanding of language.

Laurel

> HI LAUREL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONSE. IT HAD A LOT OF GREAT

INFO. IN

> IT. HE IS REC. EARLY INTERVENTION THERAPY AT HOME RIGHT NOW. AND

HE SCHEDULED

> FOR A SCREENING AT CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER TO BE PUT IN A AUTISTIC

CLASS. I

> WILL KEEP YOU POSTED. THANKS SO MUCH.

> BRANDY, MOM OF DYLAN (AUTISTIC)

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