23.7. 1993 Vitoria-Gasteiz / Spain - World Federation of Music Therapy

2) Sedation: These children need, due to their anxiety, a
type of music which is soothing without being
depressive; the least rhytmic possible, with a simple
melodic line and of great beauty and emotiveness. In
moments of great tension, of tantrums, why not try
music first instead of words or medication?.
3) Possibilities of expression: The language of music is
pre-logical (8), similar in structure to the language of the
child. Due to the lack or distortioned verbal expressionin
psychosis--.these children need to express
themselves in a not traumatic way but rather gratifying..
Free musical expression, on an instrument, is the ideal
means for this. And melodic instru ments , from my
professional experience, are better than percussion
instruments.These children prefere lyres and harps
string instruments than drums, almost in the first stages
of treatment. Among percussion instruments, the most
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adequate are metallophones and xylophones.Among
other instruments, they usually prefer, in addition to the
lyre, the organ, piano with muted soundboard, the
guitar.
The technique NORDOFF-ROBBINS it is what I did use
from 1967, spetially on musical dialogue and
improvissation.This technique it is always very we
accepted by these children and with a very good results.
4) Possibilities to relate with oneself:
a) The knoledge of the body is fundamental as a mean
of selfidentification.This can be achieved througth the
dance .
By means of circular movements,to the waltz or ballet
music,etc. th musictherapist can hold these children in
one`s arms to make them dance or follow the music.
Becouse of the enormous pleasure the child experimen
ments, he let`s himself be touched and forgets his
previous resistance to physical contac. By means of the