Make Some Noise: Charlie's Story

Charlie is 14 months old, with a rare chromosomal disorder and a very severe form of epilepsy, which leaves him with developmental delay and very limited vocal sounds. Thomas’s Fund provides music therapy in hospital, local centres, and the homes of children with life limiting conditions and disabilities, who are unable to attend school for prolonged periods of time.

With support from Make Some Noise more children like Charlie will benefit from group and individual sessions. Charlie is 14 months old, with a rare chromosomal disorder and a very severe form of epilepsy, which leaves him with developmental delay and very limited vocal sounds. Charlie joins in sessions at home with his mummy and quickly responded to music. 

In the first session he explored instruments, giving sustained eye contact and smiles. 

Charlie’s gone on to make choices of instruments and interacted through taking turns making music. His increasing smiles and vocal sounds show how music has become a tool for Charlie to express himself.

 In a recent session Charlie reached out and tapped the tambourine, as the therapist mirrored his sounds, Charlie sustained his play. He had never tapped objects, initiated play or been able to control interaction in this way before. Charlie’s mummy wept with joy. He grinned.

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