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Dr. O'Gorman draws upon his extensive experiences with psychotic children and their families, in particular his work with autistic children at Smith's Hospital, to make a cautious attempt “to enquire into the essential
nature of childhood autism”. As psychotherapists usually have the opportunity of working with only a few autistic children this book can provide a valuable extension of their acquaintance with the characteristics and background of a wide range of such children. The main symptoms of autism are clearly described, demonstrating both their variety and their monotony. The numerous, succinctly presented case histories are particularly interesting as, in many instances, they include a long period of follow-up and provide a picture of the predominant features of the patient's condition from early childhood to young adulthood.
This book, however, does not aim to be addressed to those who are psycho-analytically orientated and those who turn to it searching for greater depth and accuracy in understanding the nature of the difficulties of their autistic patients, will be disappointed. They will find no exploration of the mental content of the individual child's behaviour and condition, no discussion of psychotherapeutic techniques and, although the importance of the mother-child relationship and of the family is recognised, there is no attempt to explore the unconscious dynamics operating in the family or their possible effects upon the child.
A selection of the literature concerning the nature and aetiology of autism, including the organic aspects, is thoughtfully reviewed. Dr. O'Gorman agrees with many others working in this field, that the most valuable diagnostic observation concerns the child's “withdrawal”, or failure to be involved emotionally with other people. He views this non-involvement as stemming from the child's early failure to make a normal relationship with its mother and extending to a failure to relate to many aspects of the external reality o