Sound Therapy

Angela Lane is the local Intensive Interaction Project Manager and last Friday she visited the Music Gym to see how it fits into what she’s doing.

If someone with severe learning disabilities and/or autism is still at an early stage of communication this is a valuable approach to passing on the pre-speech fundamentals of communication. It’s what we see happening all the time with many very good support staff who bring members to the Music Gym who may not use that term for what they’re doing.

These fundamentals would include such things as

• learning to give attention to another person
• developing shared attention into activities
• taking turns
• having fun, playing together
• using and understanding facial expressions
• using and understanding eye contact
• using and understanding non-verbal communication such as body language

Increasingly we’ve come to realise that the growing relationship between carer and member is the most important aspect of the Music Gym. We’re there to make sure the equipment works and to encourage people to get the most out of it but it’s the opportunity for those who come to have fun together that’s crucial.

It was encouraging that Angela agreed with this. If the funding for her post continues then we hope she’ll be on hand sometimes to talk to staff about Intensive Interaction. In the meantime you can contact her about the East Sussex network she’s setting up on angelslake@btinternet.com

If you’d like to know more about the Music Gym you can contact Decoda by phoning 01424 439192, by emailing enquiries@decoda.org or by filling in the contact form.