When you give to the Nordoff-Robbins Foundation your dollars directly assist in music therapy that creates a path to a brighter, happier world for people facing a variety of challenges. Each issue of Positive Notes features examples of how your support of Nordoff-Robins Musical Therapy can make a difference.This time we feature letters from parents, grandparents and former clients who have been touched by the work you support.

"Everyone at the program gave so much to me"

I don't know if you remember me? I regularly attended the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Center from 1992-1993. I was unable to speak and my mum thought that music therapy would help. It did! I remember my experiences at the school and how much the staff helped me develop my voice.

I am now 17, a senior at NYC Lab School in Chelsea and thinking about college. I am very interested in pursuing music therapy. I play guitar and have been a summer student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where they offer a Music Therapy concentration. I have also been learning Japanese since I was 13.

Everyone at the program gave so much to me. It sparked my interest in studying music therapy and I would love to give something back to current students.

Regards as always,

A former client

"A higher sense of self"

The power of music has had profound and far-reaching consequences for my grandson, Mark, who is now age 11. As a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, he began music therapy when he was 8 years old and was able to develop his musical abilities thanks to the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Program at New York University. Asperger’s Syndrome, a neurobiological condition, manifests with symptom variability among those who share the diagnosis, so not everyone presents in exactly the same way. In Mark’s situation, he is significantly impaired in reciprocal social interaction, motor challenges, sensory processing and integration, self-regulation, focusing and attention.

The curative and education effects of music therapy have benefited Mark in several important ways, particularly with regard to his rigid and negativistic thought processes which were most notably influenced by this intervention. He has also developed a sense of accomplishment about expressing his emotions and thoughts through music composition and improvisation, thus impacting his ability to communicate to and with his therapist.

The responses that emerge lead further and further to the development of a higher sense of self. Whether it’s playing the instruments, singing, learning a composition or developing his own compositions, Mark is able to fully engage in the process and through the medium of music become transformed. When he is actively involved in composing and improvising music he is improving emotionally, by developing a more positive self image; academically, by improving skills such as reading, planning, prioritizing, problem solving, spatial reasoning; socially, by relating to his teachers and to the other children in the program; and physically, by improving his gross and fine motor coordination. The experiences in individual and group therapy resulted in a transfer of skills in the very areas that are so challenging for a child with Asperger’s syndrome.

Musical involvement has had an especially profound affect on Mark’s social development and the finding that music releases social hormones (vasopressin and oxytocin) supported evidence by Mark’s progress. Accepting and cooperating with other children was a particular problem when beginning group therapy since it is in social situations that Asperger’s Syndrome is most problematic and Mark was challenged by some participants. But when he became immersed in playing and singing, then... his entire demeanor would change to one of acceptance and cooperation. This would occur weekly until the rigid behavior gradually diminished. Thus, Mark’s development of his musical persona has been a life-enhancing process on the path toward self-awareness and social development.

Because of Mark’s experience, I strongly believe that the far-ranging scope of music therapy ought to be part of our education system and should be regarded as a fundamental, inalienable and necessary birthright for every child!

Mark's Grandmother

"This is the power of music"

My son, Conner, is on the autistic spectrum. He is a sweet, adorable and lovable little boy who will soon turn 8 years old. Since the age of two, he was able to spell the word "xylophone" and "elephant" on the computer. Conner loves math and has a photographic memory for numbers (he is my personal rolodex for family numbers). Mostly, Conner loves, loves, loves MUSIC. His favorite pastime is to listen to music CDs – from Donna Summer and Neil Diamond to Andrew Lloyd Weber and Beethoven. His favorite show is American Idol and he knows all the top ten contestants and loves to hit the Idol web site to watch his favorite singers.

Conner has come a very long way since he was first diagnosed at age 2-1/2. At that time he was completely nonverbal. He had limited eye contact and facial expression. He could not say "Hi mommy," "I love you," or even "no." If he was hungry, he did not know how to tell me. If he was hurt, he did not have the means of expressing it verbally. I knew very little about what he was feeling or thinking. As a mom, I was especially saddened when he would not look at me or at my eyes, even if I called, jumped up and down or shouted his name. He was in his own lonely world. Interestingly, he would gaze right into my eyes if I sang to him.

Music, especially through the form of music therapy, has in a way, helped to save Conner from loneliness and isolation. If it wasn't for such therapy, he could still well be the little boy he was at age 3-4 who would run to his room to get away from the guests of his own birthday party. Over the years his music therapists at the Nordoff-Robbins Center have helped him to want to "share moments" with others in an activity that brings him great joy. With these sessions of improvisational music and highly skilled, trained music therapists, he has become more interested and engaged. He will share a gaze (like gold). He will smile. He would use his voice!

One day, when Conner was 4, one of the administrators of his school heard someone singing loudly in the hall while passing her office door. She looked up and she practically fell off her seat when she saw it was Conner! Up to this point, no one really knew how his voice sounded. Then to see him sing! This is the power of music and how it can be used to help kids with special needs. He had been receiving music therapy for about a year prior to that point.

Conner's 8th birthday will soon be here and he will be having a bowling party with his friends (activity of his choice). He is excitedly looking forward to it. We have already assembled the party favors together. Conner enjoys playing baseball with his “buddies” in challenger baseball. My heart swells when he now looks at me lovingly and sheepishly, says "hi mom" and can tell me basic wants and needs. Generally, most parents would take such simple things for granted... but for me, it brings a world of hope (and often a tear of joy).

Now, Conner jams with his music therapist (he happens to have perfect pitch) and he can play certain works from his favorite composer Beethoven (as well as others) by ear on the piano (after having listened to it several times on the CD player).

We are very fortunate that Conner has benefited directly from the wisdom and dedication of Dr. Clive Robbins. I have never met a more beautiful and selfless human being. Dr. Robbins, a co-founder of The Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy. He is highly esteemed and has been decorated internationally for his life's work in music therapy.

One big reason I am reaching out to you today is because within the next 9 months, the U.S. branch of The Nordoff-Robbins Center at the NYU campus is likely to close its doors forever...affecting countless special needs children and potential music therapy educators in the USA and the world. There is no other center like this in the USA. Music therapy has been known to improve the outcome of children's lives, especially those on the autistic spectrum, many of whom are very musically oriented. Many children, not just Conner, have benefited from music and its "healing" power. Now Conner can play board games with his family, say "Hi Mom or Dad", tell his grandmother "Orange juice please" and look at us with his beautiful big brown eyes. Music elevates and transcends.

Thank you so much for your time and hopefully your assistance. I hope you can help the center in any way you can.

Sandra

A mom, with great appreciation for the Nordoff Robbins Center for Music Therapy

Meet Conner