What do parents say about our online music therapy sessions?

"I would like take this opportunity to share how positive the experience of Zoom Music Therapy has been during this period:

Music therapy has always been a very positive experience for Lucy and she has been engaged and responsive throughout the session. One of the most disappointing things about the Covid-19 pandemic initially was “we would miss music therapy”. So when we were offered music therapy via Zoom during isolation I jumped at the chance; Lucy can be variable in her responses to video communication so I was concerned how music therapy would work. All my concerns were however unnecessary as it has been amazing. Lucy has been fully engaged and responsive from the first session, responding as she did in face-to-face sessions; in some ways her attention has been more engaged at times.

During this period Lucy has been shielded so we have had very limited contact socially and all the time spent at home. Whilst I spend a lot of time engaged with Lucy, music therapy has provided the most positive time of connection with her where I can focus entirely without distraction. In what can be a stressful time music therapy has been the highlight of our week.

Jo has exceptional skill in following Lucy’s lead within the context of the music therapy routine, which has easily been transferred to Zoom sessions. I feel during this time Lucy has developed in her skills, communication, flexibility and creativity during music therapy, and what has developed during sessions has been seamlessly transferred into day to day activity and natural interactions in a way that hadn’t previously occurred. I wonder whether the fact that the interaction is occurring at home, that it has allowed her to more easily do this rather than needing to generalise to another setting. Interestingly I have particularly noticed Lucy’s flexibility in interactions occurring alongside more natural turn-taking and sharing which has then transferred into her play routines with more ability to deviate from her fixed agenda. I feel her vocalisation has also increased in Zoom sessions. During the sessions Lucy has intentionally included me in everything, seeking the same or similar instruments for myself when selecting them herself which has again transferred into play, for example, finding similar small world toys for me to play with her. I have also observed that during the sessions that Lucy has been very intentional in her actions, planning what we should do next and communicating this through signs, actions and sounds.

I feel that music therapy has been wholly beneficial and has positively impacted our experience during this period, for both Lucy and myself. Because of the positive experience of this therapy, I have sought other therapy via virtual means which I would not have without the positive experience of this. I would like to express my absolute gratitude to Jo in providing this opportunity which has been an absolutely brilliant experience for both of us."

online music therapy for ben

Ben has Autism Spectrum Disorder and was referred for music therapy by the consultant paediatrician at the Child Development Centre, Addenbrookes. Autism typically affects the individual's capacity to communicate and socialise effectively, and it was thought that music therapy would support Ben's social and expressive development. He attended face-to-face music therapy sessions at Croft Child and Family Unit for 2 years, first with Amelia Oldfield and then Jo Tomlinson. During the Covid lockdown we moved to online sessions, and Ben made a seamless transition to interacting musically in this new context. His mother was able to provide props for our songs, which provided security and continuity for the online sessions, as well as supporting Ben on an emotional level.

Our objectives for sessions were to support Ben with:

1. Extending the length of time that he could remain engaged with interactive playing

2. Developing his use of verbal interaction through engaging in shared singing activities

3. Enhancing his ability to listen and take turns

4. Developing his capacity to express himself through musical exchanges and vocal responses

video extract 1

Ben has gradually developed his capacity to communicate verbally during the time we have worked with him, and the singing interaction has supported this progression. In the first video clip you can see Ben joining in with the last word in each phrase in 'London Bridge'. At the end of this song you can see Ben's pleasure in making us wait for him to 'crash' the bottles - this use of suspense and spontaneity within musical structures can keep children's interest and engagement, and is a technique that music therapists use frequently in shared playing.

In the second short clip you can see Ben contributing whole phrases when I stop to give him time to participate independently.

video extract 2

In the next extract Ben and I engage in the 'Body Song' together - you will see Ben putting his feet up ready to join in! Fun action songs can promote focused concentration and verbal development, as well as extending co-ordination. Similarly to the last extract I allow time for Ben to join in with contributing words at the ends of phrases.

video extract 3

Ben has a natural affinity for music and awareness of pitch. In music therapy sessions he has worked out how to play tunes on both the xylophone and pitched bells. One of his favourite tunes is 'Jingle Bells' and here he starts off playing the xylophone on the repeated yellow E keys, while I play the tune on the flute. Ben teases me by playing up and down the xylophone rather than carrying on with the tune, and you can tell he is delighted with this game by his facial expressions! Midway through the extract Ben starts to lose interest, and his mother redirects him to the xylophone. The involvement of parents in both face-to-face and Zoom sessions is essential to the success of the therapy.

video extract 4

In the last extract you can see Ben enjoying interactive play on the shakers with his mother, supported by my piano playing. The fun nature of this exchange retains Ben's focus and enables him to sustain shared interaction. Carrying out music therapy sessions online has provided increased opportunities for parents to support in sessions and be the primary focus of the child, which in turn promotes positive relationships between parent and child. Musical and singing activities introduced in sessions can be carried on at other times in the week.

Congratulations to Ben for all the progress he has made in his music therapy sessions, and many thanks to Ben's family for allowing us to share this video and a glimpse into his experience of music therapy!

covid update

from music therapy room.....

Since the covid pandemic

we have moved some of our music therapy sessions on-line using Zoom. This has proved to be highly successful, and we have been amazed to see how well the children have engaged with music therapy via a screen. In some cases families have found that the child responds even better, as they are more relaxed and confident in their home environment......