Exploring issues of control through interactive, improvised music making: music therapy diagnostic assessment and short-term treatment with a mother and daughter in a psychiatric unit

The author describes how the Music Therapy Diagnostic Assessment helped to highlight a ten year old girl's strengths and difficulties and exclude a diagnosis of autism. During short term joint music therapy work with the child and her mother, new insights were gained by the mother allowing her to gain a new understanding and a greater acceptance of her daughter.