• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.123-132
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• 1997

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the current trends of British Music Therapy and its effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention for the autistic children. This paper consists of two parts；Part one will provide a general picture of music therapy by looking at its fundamental concepts and therories. Part II(two case studies) will illustrate the actual processes of music therapy which can engender a therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the autistic child. Through the first case study of Charlie, a 3 year and 9 month non-verbal autistic boy, we shall see how music therapy facilitates both non-verbal and verbal communication and a form of pretend play. The second case of Mark, a 10 year old autistic boy with complex emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties who had been sexually abused in the past, presents how the therapist’ acceptance of the child’ being and the shared experience of music therapy enable the child to express his difficulties and to develop the awareness of self and others. By exploring both musical and interpersonal aspects of music therapy, this gives an in depth examination of therapeutic processes. In order to clarify clinical procedure, this paper is viewed in musical, developmental and psychodynamic perspectives. To ensure confidentiality, the clients will be referred to by alter-native forenames.