Music Therapy and Rett Syndrome

I should probably title this video, “How not to do a Music Therapy Session!” 

I often edit my videos very carefully, to try and bring the actual work into focus, but here’s an unedited clip which in many ways captures what often happens in and around my sessions. In this particular session, I had someone carry in a person with Cerebral Palsy and place them on the bed next to me, while working with Sumiksha who has Rett Syndrome. I’m also swatting flies with one hand, while trying to keep the harp going with the other and make it all look natural and easy! 😉 There’s also 12 people in the room, giving their expert advice and observations, while this goes on!

In spite of all this, Sumiksha is in a happy mood, and manages to have  admirable  control over the movement of her hands.

From the perspective of a therapist, even though Sumiksha does not understand what I say, I use infant directed speech and infant directed song while conversing with her, to which she responds pretty great. More about this in future videos.