ABSTRACT
To assess or not to assess? This is seemingly a never-ending debate at formal and informal gatherings of music therapists. Included in such debates also, is whether we need a formal, standardised assessment instrument, or if an informal assessment will suffice to bring credibility to the profession. Indeed, the music therapy assessment is essential if we as music therapists are involved in the active treatment process, and if we function as a contributing member of an interdisciplinary team. In order for music therapy to stand at the threshold in the education/treatment of the developmentally disabled child, it must produce empirical evidence of its uniqueness on the cutting edge of active treatment. There is no other choice; we must establish our credence in contributing to primary needs of clients, or we do not have any credence. This process begins in the evaluative process in determining the primary needs, the strengths, the tomorrows.
