re: OT 'autism' of the 1930s is alive and well in France

[Guest guest]

This came across on the UK group. For now, the film remains in the public

domain. Very difficult to watch and to think that all our children would be so

treated in the name of professional arrogance; not to mention the attitude

toward the mothers. To deal in this realm, one would have to be a true 'Warrior'

mother. The court ruled against the film makers and that ruling is now on

appeal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBUFMYythJQ

" A Court judgment should be delivered today which will rule whether or not a

film about autism and psychoanalysis in France can be suppressed. If the

defendants (the documentary maker and an autism charity) win, the film will be

shown on French TV. If they lose they may have to pay the plaintiffs (three of

the psychoanalysts who appear in the film) as awful lot in damages.

>

> You can watch the film on YouTube - it has subtitles and is 52 minutes long.

>

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBUFMYythJQ

>

> It is very shocking - and marvellous that the film maker managed to get so

many psychoanalysts to reveal their views about autism being, basically, a

psychosis. They hate behavioural methods. They refuse to give weight to the

considerable scientific research which shows autism is a neuro-developmental

disorder. They are anti the USA and anti science. Their behaviour has many of

the characteristics of a cult.

>

> For decades in France Lacanian psychoanalysis (they also generally support

Bettelheim) has blamed the parents for the child's autism. The autistic child

has been seen by these professionals as mentally ill and often the children have

been taken away from the families and put into institutions. One 'treatment' has

been to wrap the child tightly in wet freezing cold sheets - they call this

'packing'.

>

> Five or 6 years ago the Council of Europe criticised France for failing to

educate children with autism. They don't get an education because the

psychoanalysts say they are sick and need treatment, not education.

>

> There has been criticism of the psychoanalytic stranglehold from French

families for several years. There is a tiny movement speaking out against

packing, against incarceration and in favour of ABA, PECS, TEACCH and other

approaches.

>

> The psychoanalytic establishment in the face of this criticism is now claiming

they are in favour of a variety of approaches. Actually they aren't, as the film

-maker's website shows clearly.