Proceedings, Oxford, UK (2002) - World Federation of Music Therapy

movement. Repetition in this case takes on a particular meaning: it helps
the members of the group to recognise each other and to have fixed
points of reference. Sound games in which each member of the group
takes it in turn to play one or more instruments allow each child to
express their own state of being, to increase their attention span, to learn
“to wait their turn”, to tolerate the wait and to listen to their classmates.
In the practical organisation of this activity, which is not always easy to
carry out, the aim is to gradually reach a shared harmonic and rhythmic
course and a conscious ability of control.
The task of the music therapist is a difficult one which often cannot be
adequately expressed in words capable of rendering the intensity of the
relationship, the minor and imperceptible progress, the moments of
standstill and the difficulties in comprehension.
The correct application of a methodology, a patient and willing attitude
and often a long period of time will enable the established aims to be
achieved. It is hoped that the results obtained will not only be taken
outside of the music therapy room, but also be long lasting.
According to current clinical studies, visual impairment goes beyond the
confines of simple sensorial deprivation, being amongst the risk factors
in disturbances of mental development.
In the more severe cases, being deprived of an understanding of the
surrounding environment, such as the perception of the shape of
everyday objects, of depth and of colours limits the child’s complete
understanding and memory of the object itself. This can compromise the
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