Christopher's Story
While living in Tennessee and working as a Music Therapist, I received a call from a desperate mother of a five-year-old autistic boy. We decided to meet so that I could observe her son as well as assess his needs. He looked like a china doll with porcelain skin. His blue ocean eyes, offset by his sunlit mane, gazed out into the thick air. The moment he saw me he realized that I did not belong in his world and he became agitated. His agitation increased enough that I had to leave.
His mother and I decided to try again in a few days. Every time he saw me his agitation grew into an outburst of aggression and each time I ended up lhaving to leave the house. His mother assured me that it was not “just me” but rather it was anyone he was unfamiliar with. We decided to try different rooms and different things that might draw Chris’ attention to me. Each time we were unsuccessful. I finally had to tell the parents that I really needed to find another place to work with him and they agreed.
Chris had just started a half-day pre-k program and the arrangements were made for me to see him at his school. During the first meeting at school I took him into a small empty room. I had nothing planned for that day. I just wanted to sit and so I did. I sat on the floor against the wall with a few instruments spread around me and my guitar in the corner. I did not reach out to Chris but instead waited patiently for him to get used to the idea of having me around. Of course Chris was a little agitated but not as agitated as when he was in his own home. He paced, he vocalized, and his arms flailed, all while remaining as far away from me as possible. He stayed tucked into the farthest corner.
After awhile he noticed that I was not going to initiate any interaction and he began to calm down. As soon as his behavior relaxed I very gently picked up my guitar and began to strum it. I watched Chris’ behavior very carefully. I gently rose to my feet and strummed again. I noticed that Chris began to show a little eye contact in my direction. I took a step closer to him and strummed again. As we continued to have our time alone I could see Chris becoming more at ease with me and his surroundings. I never really approached Chris but instead I wanted him to choose me.
It wasn’t long and the day finally came. With my guitar in hand I stood in the middle of the room and strummed. Each time I strummed the guitar Chris got a little closer. If he started to walk away I would stop playing. Each time I stopped playing he would stop and look towards me.
Once I got his attention I began to strum and Chris would again approach me. Eventually Chris came close enough to me that I could have touched him. It was almost as if I could feel and hear his heart beating. He was cautious - never looking directly at me. I chose not to touch him. Instead, I prompted him to touch the guitar and he did. He touched the strings as they vibrated. He touched the side - very gently - each time pulling away. His journey of something new had begun!