Music Therapy-Developments in Mental Handicap

Abstract

This paper looks at the developments of music therapy services in mental handicap. with reference to the author's work. It examines the client groups music therapists are particularly involved with, and the role music therapists have in relation to other services. The paper concentrates on three specific areas of work: therapy approaches to working with the behaviourally disturbed; a programme of work with profoundly physically and mentally handicapped clients; assessment and diagnostic evaluation with young children referred to a special children's service. In exploring these areas, the author draws on examples of therapy work in each situation to demonstrate the processes involved and to identify some of the results. The paper puts this work into the context of the broad-based but specialised service that music therapy has become in the field of mental handicap.