In his report to the Executive Council in May, 1967, Dr. Nathan N. Root, Representative of the American Psychoanalytic Association to the American Association for Child Psychoanalysis, described the history and activities of the latter group. Incorporated on March 18, 1963, it held its first meeting on April 28, 1965, with 44 Founding Members present. The membership has since increased to 180. Qualifications for membership were agreed upon after careful study, with the clear understanding that such membership does not imply certification as a child analyst. Canadian child analysts, as well as child analysts from foreign countries who qualify, are accepted as Regular Members.
The Association serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas in the field of child psychoanalysis. The first annual scientific meeting, in which Miss Anna Freud participated, was held in April, 1966, at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka.
A significant Association endeavor is the sponsoring of local child analysis study groups, in which there are now 60 members participating. These study groups are geographically distributed with three functioning in the New York area. These groups, it is hoped, will foster the growth of child analysis.