Sam’s journey
Sam (name changed to preserve anonymity) is a 6-year-old boy referred to YCT Support by his mother for anxiety which she believed to be linked to an early, unspecified trauma. She described him as very anxious, biting his nails and clothing, pacing up and down and head banging.
Sam had been given an autism diagnosis since original assessment and was having SALT. The school nurse had recommended play therapy support for him. In discussions with the therapist mum voiced that she felt he had other, undiagnosed additional needs.
On meeting the child, it was clear that he did indeed have significant additional needs. He was non –verbal throughout the session and would not allow mum to leave. Mum had indicated that he loved animals, and he played with certain zoo animals for the entire session. The counsellor sat with him on the floor gently commenting on the play. The counsellor was concerned that his level of need would make working with him challenging and inwardly questioned whether he would gain any benefit from the sessions. How wrong she was. The following week the child came happily into the room by himself and stayed the entire session.
Play in the early sessions took the form of a small bear going from family group to family group looking for somewhere to belong. It was always the same animal groups and play followed a script. Bear was always rejected and went off exploring to try and find acceptance elsewhere. The child would vocalise what was occurring throughout the play but not engage in direct conversation with the counsellor. Everything was done by the counsellor reflectively and metaphorically. Play therapy in its purest form. It was immediately clear that the small bear was the child and after 6 weeks the child held bear aloft and said, “Bear is me”. A poignant moment.
Gradually the child engaged in conversation with the counsellor, but talk was focussed on Zoos, and facts about animals. Small bear disappeared totally. Play shifted to 3 specific animals, lion, tiger and gorilla. He lives in a family of 3, mum, dad and himself. Later the child identified as gorilla and dad as tiger. Dad often worked long hours and away from home and tiger too was not consistent in his appearances. The animals had to be fed, and the counsellor had to sustain them by making air dry clay fruit. This was done repeatedly over many weeks. The fruit took on a life of their own and there were often clashes with the police and authority as the fruit were bad and were placed under arrest. A strong feeling of being bad but wanting to be good came through the sessions. Then things changed and the fruit started to be good and reject temptation.
Finally, pizzas were made from Play-Doh for each animal in the colours of the fruit and the fruit put on each pizza. Then they were all squashed into one ball. His work was done. During the ending session the counsellor reflected that they had not seen little bear in a long time, “I don’t need him anymore” the child replied.
At the ending of the sessions mum was overwhelmed with emotion and thanks for the work done with the child. She thanked the counsellor for the work done and the difference made to her child. The counsellor was reminded of the invaluable role play therapy can play in supporting young children whatever their abilities.