Southern View: April 22, 2021

10 Thursday April 22 2021
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
SOUTHERN VIEW
Musical therapy a way to support children
In her nearly three-decade
tenure as a musical therapist,
Julie Wylie reckons she’s
witnessed a miracle every single
day.
Music plays an integral part of
life at the Champion Centre in
Burwood – a non-profit organisation
providing early intervention
for babies and children with
disabilities, or born prematurely.
Looking back, she has seen
a child sing their first words,
take their first steps, and even
helped a four-year-old boy on the
autistic spectrum find his voice
through music.
But after 28 years, it is time for
Cashmere’s Wylie to pass over
the conductors’ baton.
“Every child I’ve met has
taught me so much. It’s not about
their limitations, but about how
children can fly musically,” she
said.
“When you allow them to find
their voice and let them be the
leader, they take you on the most
miraculous journey.”
The centre supports children
and their families with disabilities
or whose developmental
progress is at risk through its
early intervention programme at
Burwood Hospital.
Children with Down’s
syndrome and other genetic disorders,
cerebral palsy, epilepsy,
IN SYNC: After nearly three decades, it’s time for Champion Centre musical play therapist
Julie Wylie to hand over the conductor’s baton.
Photo: Geoff Sloan
developmental dyspraxia, autism
spectrum disorder or brain injuries
were usually referred to the
centre by paediatricians.
During the 1990s, Wylie and
the centre’s speech-language
therapists studied how music
affected the brain and the wellbeing
of child and parent.
Neuroscience discoveries
showed elements of music
could be used in specific ways
to promote well-being and
regulation.
Said Wylie: “I started writing
and reflecting after every session,
then I came across an amazing
book on music and the mind and
I thought, ‘this is the beginning.’
I could see that music could
bring parent and child into synchronicity.”
When a child is in a calm,
regulated space, “then they can
learn.”
Music rhythm, melody, tune,
dynamics such as “loud or soft,”
music with a clear beginning,
middle and end, and the harmony
of instruments impacted
systems in the brain.
Depending on how they were
used, they can either contribute
to regulating or deregulating a
child’s systems.
“Music that has a steady beat,
close to a resting heart rate, encourages
lower parts of the brain
and the body to come into synch
and produce a feeling of calm,”
Wylie said.
Wylie referred to herself as
a conductor, not the leader.
Parents were the leaders as they
could carry on the music at
home.
And ever since music was
introduced to the Champion
Centre, children and parents
have flourished.
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