Musical Magic

It is very exciting when a boy who has always had trouble communicating finds a medium through which it becomes possible. Leroy was born with microcaephaely (meaning a small head) and has calcification around his brain. He will always be learning disabled and probably never put more than two words together - although he is full of surprises.

Leroy attends Portesbery School where his mum helps out, and the breakthrough occurred when his one to one teacher Jenny noticed his appreciation for music. Music therapy is very expensive and Leroy needs weekly classes to benefit fully.

Starting with short 15 minute sessions within his attention span, music therapist Janet Moody started building a rapport with Leroy. The results have been marked. He mimics her and likes using his hands to play various instruments.

At home his mum says he now knows that to listen to music he must switch on the tape. "He has learnt cause and effect," she said, "and he can turn up the sound without help. Previously he was terrified of loud sounds. Now he really enjoys it!"

Since starting music therapy Leroy has been able to form a relationship with his older teenage sister, Natasha, who also loves music. This has helped break down his feelings of loneliness.

Visiting him in his brightly decorated home I am struck first by his good looks and his affection for his mother, and secondly by his energy. His mum says that if he could concentrate long enough to run in a straight line he could be a champion sprinter! I can well believe it.

He has learnt simple sign language at school and is able to understand when visual signinig cues are used, but he is still easily muddled. Music has helped calm him and allow him to express himself as well as improve his concentration span.