Harmfulness of the autistic object to its indispensability for autism clinically in psychoanalysis

Abstract

In this paper we examine the concept of the autistic object in the psychoanalytic treatment of individuals with autism. Comparison is made between the concepts of two authors, Frances Tustin and Jean-Claude Maleval, both dedicated researchers in the area. Tustin identifies the function of autistic objects in the treatment of the autistic body image. Differentiation between autism and schizophrenia is presented. Maleval enhances the perception of Tustin, by highlighting the role of dynamism in autistic objects, as a promoter of the libidinal animation of autists. The paper concludes by assessing the consequences of privileging one or another theoretical conception of the autistic object clinically.