Table Of ContentParaverbal
Communication
with Children
Not through Words Alone
Paraverbal
Communication
with Children
Not through Words Alone
Evelyn Phillips Heimlich
and
J.
Arlene Mark
Foreword by
Harlow Donald Dunton
PLENUM PRESS • NEW YORK AND LONDON
ISBN-13 :978-1-4612-7906-8 e-ISBN-13 :978-1-4613-0643-6
001' 10.1007/978-1-4613-0643-6
To protect the privacy of individual patients, names, places,
and other identifying facts contained herein have been fictionalized.
© 1990 Plenum Press, New York
Softcover repint of the hardcover Ist edition 1990
A Division of Plenum Publishing Corporation
233 Spring Street, New York, N.Y. 10013
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming,
recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher
Foreword
For over twenty years I have been privileged to observe, partic
ipate in, and contribute to the development of the ideas and
techniques that culminated in this most unusual, impressive,
and useful book.
While it is difficult to convey in words the total experience
of this innovative therapeutic approach, this volume enables
the reader to become a part of these therapy sessions and to
learn to "know" and appreciate these fruitful methods.
The techniques described in detail in this volume are
designed for use with children who are viewed as "resi
stant" and uncommunicative-a fairly large percentage of
youth who have not responded to traditional therapy. The
approach is based on many practical assumptions. Among
them are the idea that rhythm, of whatever nature, cannot
be "shut out"; that one can have pleasure in producing com-
v
vi FOREWORD
munication (fun of all things); and that pleasure and accep
tance lead to the integration of motility, emotions, and
ideation. These all lead to increased self-esteem and compe
tence. The selection of the modality is completely individu
alized and leads to a therapy with the child-not to or at the
child.
To complete the circle, the method is eminently teachable.
Thus, both students in training and practicing therapists
who are concerned with promoting growth and development
in the children they treat will find this guide exceptionally use
ful and stimulating.
H. D. Dunton, M. D.
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
Columbia University College of
Physicians and Surgeons
New York, New York
Acknowledgments
The author would like to take this opportunity to acknowl
edge our debt of gratitude to the many people who partici
pated in the development of Paraverbal Communication as
presented in this book. Our greatest feeling of gratitude
goes first of all to all those children whose communication
needs stimulated both of us to find ways of helping them.
Deep appreciation goes also to Dr. Sydney G. Margolin,
who gave the name Paraverbal Therapy to the method after
reviewing some of the children's problems and Mrs.
Heimlich's work with them. Profound thanks also go to Dr.
Harlow Donald Dunton, as both Mrs. Heimlich's supervisor
and mentor in the Child Psychiatry Department at the New
York State Psychiatric Institute, where he served as head of
the Department of Child Psychiatry. Gratitude goes as well
to Dr. Anne Hardesty, who for years analyzed weekly the
vii
viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Paraverbal Communication Method work being done with
inaccessible children. Thanks also to Dr. Daniel Stern, who
repeatedly analyzed videotapes of Paraverbal Communica
tion sessions and who designated the sound and movement
techniques used in Paraverbal Communication as maneu
vers. The help of Evelyn Heimlich's brother Robert Phillips
was invaluable in reviewing the presentation style of the ma
terial in the book. To Evelyn's son, Arthur, go thanks for pa
tient review of the material and for supplemental typing.
Our thanks go as well to Bernard Mazel, who recognized
the unique contribution of the Paraverbal Communication
Method.
And finally, profound appreciation goes to our hus
bands, Milton Heimlich and Reuben Mark, without whose
cheerful and generous support this book would never have
come to be realized.
We gratefully acknowledge permission to reprint lyrics
for the following songs from the sources indicated:
"Russians" by Sting. ©1985 Magnetic Publishing Ltd.lReggatta Music, Ltd.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
"Be Good Johnny," words and music by Colin Hay and Greg Ham. ©1982,
1983 April Music Pty. Limited. All rights for the USA and Canada con
trolled and administered by Blackwood Music Inc. All rights reserved.
International copyright secured. Used by permission.
"Pressure," by Billy Joel. ©1981, 1982 Joel Songs. All rights controlled and
administered by EMI Blackwood Music Inc. All rights reserved. Inter
national copyright secured. Used by permission.
"Growing Up," words and music by Lawrence Smith and Jalil Hutchins.
©1986 Zomba Enterprises Inc.lFunk Groove Music Inc. (administered
by Zomba Enterprises Inc.)/Zomba Music Publishers Ltd. All rights
controlled by Zomba Enterprises Inc. for USA and Canada. All rights
reserved. Used with permission.
"Comfortably Numb" by David GilmourlRoger Waters. ©1979 Pink Floyd
Music Publishers Inc. Used with permission.
'~nother Brick in the Wall" by Roger Waters. ©1979 Pink Floyd Music Pub
lishers Inc. Used with permission.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix
"In the 80's," lyrics and music by Graham Nash. ©1980 Nash Notes. Used
by permission. All rights reserved.
"To the Aisle" ©1957 Wemar Music Corp. Used with permission.
"School Days" by Chuck Berry. ©1957 Used with permission.
E.P.H.
A.M.
Contents
Introduction .... " ... , ........ " . . .. .. . . . . .. . . . 1
Part One
The Paraverbal Communication Method
1. Why Children Do Not Communicate
and Who Is Referred for Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2. Parav erbal Communication and Why It Works. . . . 17
3. How and When to Apply Specific Paraverbal
Maneuvers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 39
xi
xii CONTENTS
4. Diagnostic Assessment through Paraverbal
Communication ............................. 63
Part Two
Specific Referral Difficulties and
the Paraverbal Communication Response
5. The Abused Child ............................. 85
6. Individual and Peer Learning: Paraverbal
Communication Empowers Children to Learn .. 99
7. The Mentally Retarded Child ................... 119
8. The Autistic Child ............................. 141
9. Metaphoric Lyrics as a Bridge to the
Adolescent's World ........................... 159
10. The Child as '~ssistant Therapist" .............. 175
11. Mother and Child Learn to Communicate
through Paraverbal Maneuvers ................ 187
12. How Parents Can Use Paraverbal Communication
Principles at Home with Their Children ........ 231
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 241
About the Authors ............................. 247
Index ......................................... 249
Description:For over twenty years I have been privileged to observe, partic ipate in, and contribute to the development of the ideas and techniques that culminated in this most unusual, impressive, and useful book. in words the total experience While it is difficult to convey of this innovative therapeutic ap
