Based on the work of Frances Tustin, I aim to emphasize in this lecture that early-childhood interventions in infantile autism can and do, under favorable conditions, enable full recovery. The lecture is based on and expands Ahumada & Ahumada’s book “Contacting autistic child: Five successful early psychoanalytic interventions”.
By favorable conditions we mean:
Firstly, treatment taking place within Tustin’s “window of opportunity” usually begins at some 7-8 years of age, but in our view in severe cases it starts in very early childhood.
Secondly, an emotionally stable, receptive family, able to accompany and collaborate with treatment.
Thirdly, a valiant therapist/analyst able to support the protracted attack and their own sense of existence, that is part and parcel of the therapeutic work with autistic children. Not all analysts can, or wish, to work with children, and those that do are inclined to forsake such work with advancing age. Moreover, not all child analysts, perhaps only a small minority, can deal with children that demand special patience and endurance.
After presenting a historical introduction to the field, I strive to focus on some clinical processes. I trust the audience is aware that clinical material cannot be summarized.