1. Autism and Symbiotic Psychosis
Margaret Mahler
Autism and Symbiotic Psychosis

2. Margaret Mahler (1897-1985) Born in 1897 Raised in Hungary
Mother favored her younger sister
Considered this the first mother-infant pair she observed
Child psychoanalytic psychologist
Developmental psychologist

3. Education Educated in Hungary and Germany Specialized in Pediatrics
Recognized for her work with psychotic children
Therapeutic Nursery at the Master’s Children’s Center in New York
Worked with Anna Freud

4. Theory
Separation-Individuation
Phases

5. Our Study

6. Infantile Autism Hypothesis is Freudian: quasi-sociobiological
- Survival Instinct
- Need for dependence on another’s care
There are factors of nature
- way that child receives and responds to internal and external stimuli
There are factors of nurture
- symbiotic partner serves as buffer to the internal and external stimuli for the child
Combination: The symbiotic partner serving as an organizer and buffer for stimuli assists the child in forming boundaries and developing sensory perceptions.

7. Infantile Autism
Child is unable to perceive Gestalt of mother and her vital functioning on child’s behalf
No distinctions between inner and outer world
No distinctions between self and inanimate environment
Turning away from outside world can be
Inborn
Acquired Defense
Unaware of primary caregiver as having a relation to self, just part of environment

8. Symbiotic Psychosis Second undifferentiated stage
Delusional omnipotent symbiotic fusion with need-satisfying object or person
Sees primary caregiver as an inseparable part of self
Partial or complete loss of identity
Alienation and withdrawal from reality

9. James Activities First time, activities were performed with mother
Play dough
Blocks
Puzzle
Book
First time, activities were performed with mother
Second time, activities were performed with sister

10. Mary and Claire Activities Activities were performed with mother
Game: Monkey Jumble
Book
Game: Zingo
Clean up
Activities were performed with mother
An Activity was performed with Elizabeth

11. Mother-Infant Bond—the relationship between a mother and her child; according to Mahler, it should naturally be strong at first and as the child matures, the child should become more independent
Independence—child can accomplish tasks without his or her mother acting as the guide through every step (though independence is attained through the support of the mother during the formative stages of early childhood)
Symbiotic Psychosis—Mahler’s term for a disorder in which a child forms a relationship with its mother or caretaker such that the child is afraid to separate from the caretaker and become independent
Normal Autistic Phase—occurs from the moment of birth up until the end of the first month; the child seems oblivious to the outside world because of a natural protection by an internal stimulus barrier, broken by moments when the newborn is quietly alert of his or her surroundings; outer sensations as a whole are unimportant to the child
Normal Symbiotic Phase---occurs within the first 5 months of the child’s life; the mother and child are essentially one
Separation/Individuation—an elongated phase that ranges from 5 months to 30 months of age and refers to the child’s gradual development as an independent individual
Practicing—phase between 9 to 12 months and begins with the child’s ability to crawl; beginning of a time of exploration; the mother’s attitude is extremely important at this time
Rapprochement—phase that occurs between 15 to 24 months when the child begins to notice the mother in a different way because the child becomes torn between the desire for autonomy and wanting and needing the mother; according to Mahler, this is a time of indecision that serves as a bridge toward the child’s independence. This phase is resolved with the acquisition of language.