Page 26 - SEN115 - November/December 2021

PMLD
Music therapy and PMLD
Through a description of her work, Madeline Aslan gives valuable insights into the wide ranging benefits of music therapy for children and young people with PMLD.
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Many children with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) present with significant communication difficulties which can make it hard for them to express their emotions and to have
them acknowledged. However, children with PMLD can often develop a social connection through improvised music making. Music therapy can be used to create meaningful connections with those who are often isolated and frustrated, and non- verbal musical exchanges between client and therapist can aid the development of communication, which can ultimately lead to improved wellbeing outside of the music therapy room.
William*, aged 5, was referred to Coram for music therapy by educational staff to support him with socialisation and communication. He has a complex medical history and often showed challenging behaviour at school and at home, frequently becoming frustrated and hitting people. William has disordered development, delayed gross and fine motor skills and has spent much of his short life in and out of hospital.
“Connections with those who are often isolated and frustrated”
William’s teachers were keen for him to have an outlet to be creative and develop ways of regulating his emotions. Throughout our sessions, William was supported by a teaching assistant (TA) who informed me that William has little or no ability to communicate independently.
In his first music therapy session, William was initially tentative, he looked around the room actively avoiding eye contact with me. He carefully stepped over all the instruments that were
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