Frances Tustin (1913-1994) was one of the first professionally trained child psychotherapists in Britain. Although internationally recognised for her pioneering therapeutic work with autistic children, her approach is considered by some to be controversial, as her psychogenic view of childhood autism challenged the belief that it is biological and genetic.
Autistic States in Children is widely regarded as a vitally important work for understanding the causes of autism in young children. Vividly describing her clinical encounters with autistic children, Tustin argued that autistic states were above all self-protective ones. In her observational studies, she noted how autistic children's interaction with physical objects, such as keys, toy cars, or other play items, had a rigid and ritualistic quality, far removed from the typical kind of fantasy play seen in other children. Such objects are not used by autistic children for their intended purpose, Tustin argued, but rather in sensation-dominated ways that interfere with mental development. She also drew a fundamental distinction between two autistic groups: an 'encapsulated' group, which is withdrawn and non-verbal, and an 'entangled' group, who are hyperactive and chaotic but have some language.
Autistic States in Children influenced not only those in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis but countless others who have contact with autistic children, especially families, and remains essential reading for anyone seeking a creative and compelling understanding of autism.
This Routledge Classics edition includes a new Foreword by Maria Rhode.
Autistic States in Children is widely regarded as a vitally important work for understanding the causes of autism in young children. Vividly describing her clinical encounters with autistic children, Tustin argued that autistic states were above all self-protective ones. In her observational studies, she noted how autistic children's interaction with physical objects, such as keys, toy cars, or other play items, had a rigid and ritualistic quality, far removed from the typical kind of fantasy play seen in other children. Such objects are not used by autistic children for their intended purpose, Tustin argued, but rather in sensation-dominated ways that interfere with mental development. She also drew a fundamental distinction between two autistic groups: an 'encapsulated' group, which is withdrawn and non-verbal, and an 'entangled' group, who are hyperactive and chaotic but have some language.
Autistic States in Children influenced not only those in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis but countless others who have contact with autistic children, especially families, and remains essential reading for anyone seeking a creative and compelling understanding of autism.
This Routledge Classics edition includes a new Foreword by Maria Rhode.
'Frances Tustin's capacity to communicate is marvellously lucid. She is always in touch with a reader who is imagined to be curious and critical, but open to persuasion if given the necessary evidence, and here the evidence is beautifully presented.' - Juliet Hopkins, Principal Child Psychotherapist, Tavistock Clinic
'In this book the reader has the rare opportunity to spend time with one of the most clinically sensitive and theoretically astute analytic therapists of our time. Autistic States in Children is indispensable for any clinician attempting to do psychotherapeutic work with children or endeavouring to address autistic phenomena in healthier children and adults.' - Thomas H. Ogden, San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute
'In this book the reader has the rare opportunity to spend time with one of the most clinically sensitive and theoretically astute analytic therapists of our time. Autistic States in Children is indispensable for any clinician attempting to do psychotherapeutic work with children or endeavouring to address autistic phenomena in healthier children and adults.' - Thomas H. Ogden, San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute