Developing music therapy referral criteria for institutionalized children affected by HIV / AIDS at the Mohau Centre

Abstract

This study aims to identify referral criteria for music therapy which can be used at an institution for children affected by HIV / AIDS in South Africa. The purpose of this research is a) to identify the needs of institutionalised children and how music therapy can be applied to treat these needs; b) to establish the current referral process in this institution; and c) to develop referral criteria which can be used to refer these children to music therapy. Interviews conducted with different staff members at the institution, as well as a music therapist who worked at the institution, showed that some of the needs, challenges and resulting behaviours of the children are not currently referred to music therapy. This study shows that music therapy can be used to address a wide range of these difficulties.