Remarks on the communication of psychotic children as seen in group therapy.
A group of 26 psychotic children, aged 5--8, in a day hospital, was treated in small groups of 4 or 5, by 2 therapists (a male and female). According to our observations the treatment set-up enhances a 'present therapeutic symbiosis' where the 'other half' of the symbiotic dyad is composed of all the children in the group, the therapists and the physical environment. The newly acquired imitation (echolalia and echopraxia) impraxia) improves the child's means of expression and is used for communication. It also helps the therapists in their task of decodifying the messages to the children and themselves.
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008297:Male; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D009769:Object Attachment; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D014705:Verbal Behavior