scholarly journals Faulty Theory, Failed Therapy: Frances Tustin, Infant and Child Psychoanalysis, and the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

SAGE Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401983268
Author(s):  
Dianna T. Kenny
Keyword(s):  
Infant Development ◽  
Developmental Psychology ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Therapeutic Practice ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Developmental Neuroscience ◽  
Child Psychoanalysis ◽  
Human Functioning ◽  
Scientific Scholarship ◽  
Review Current

In this article, I explore two epistemologies for theorizing infancy and treating autism—infant and child psychoanalysis expounded by Frances Tustin and colleagues and developmental psychology and developmental neuroscience. I address two main issues: (a) how early psychoanalytic insights informed empirical developments and theoretical scholarship in both infant psychoanalysis and developmental psychology, and (b) how the study of infant development within psychoanalysis has been derailed by faulty theorizing and failure to incorporate scientific scholarship on infant development into their theories and practice. First, I review current research on infancy including psychoanalytic contributions that have incorporated scientific methods and evidence. I then juxtapose this work with Frances Tustin’s theory of autism as an exemplar of the problematic theorizing about infant development that remains unchallenged, even today, in some psychoanalytic circles, and how that theory is operationalized in treatment. I discuss possible reasons for the failure to revise theory and therapeutic practice and the adherence to faulty perceptions of “successful” therapeutic outcome. Despite these derailments, I conclude that a marriage of science and psychoanalysis (that is convergent with developmental research) is not only possible; indeed, it has produced talented progeny who have immeasurably advanced our understanding of human functioning across the life span by further illuminating the mysteries of infant experience.

From emotion resonance to empathic understanding: A social developmental neuroscience account

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 1053-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Decety ◽  
Meghan Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Developmental Psychology ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Developmental Neuroscience ◽  
Neural Dysfunctions ◽  
Neural Underpinnings ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe psychological construct of empathy refers to an intersubjective induction process by which positive and negative emotions are shared, without losing sight of whose feelings belong to whom. Empathy can lead to personal distress or to empathic concern (sympathy). The goal of this paper is to address the underlying cognitive processes and their neural underpinnings that constitute empathy within a developmental neuroscience perspective. In addition, we focus on how these processes go awry in developmental disorders marked by impairments in social cognition, such as autism spectrum disorder, and conduct disorder. We argue that empathy involves both bottom-up and top-down information processing, underpinned by specific and interacting neural systems. We discuss data from developmental psychology as well as cognitive neuroscience in support of such a model, and highlight the impact of neural dysfunctions on social cognitive developmental behavior. Altogether, bridging developmental science and cognitive neuroscience helps approach a more complete understanding of social cognition. Synthesizing these two domains also contributes to a better characterization of developmental psychopathologies that impacts the development of effective treatment strategies.

A translational neuroscience framework for the development of socioemotional functioning in health and psychopathology

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (4pt2) ◽  
pp. 1293-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian Lee Wiggins ◽  
Christopher S. Monk
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Socioemotional Development ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Socioemotional Functioning ◽  
Pediatric Anxiety ◽  
Developmental Neuroscience ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Pediatric Depression ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms

AbstractThe development of socioemotional functioning is a complex process that occurs over a protracted time period and requires coordinating affective, cognitive, and social faculties. At many points in development, the trajectory of socioemotional development can be deleteriously altered due to a combination of environmental insults and individual vulnerabilities. The result can be psychopathology. However, researchers are just beginning to understand the neural and genetic mechanisms involved in the development of healthy and disordered socioemotional functioning. We propose a translational developmental neuroscience framework to understand the transactional process that results in socioemotional functioning in both healthy and disordered populations. We then apply this framework to healthy socioemotional development, pediatric anxiety, pediatric depression, and autism spectrum disorder, selectively reviewing current literature in light of the framework. Finally, we examine ways that the framework can help to frame future directions of research on socioemotional development and translational implications for intervention.

A Call for Greater Attention to Culture in the Study of Brain and Development

2020 ◽  
pp. 174569162093146
Author(s):  
Yang Qu ◽  
Nathan A. Jorgensen ◽  
Eva H. Telzer
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Cultural Psychology ◽  
Developmental Psychology ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cultural Neuroscience ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Developmental Neuroscience ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Despite growing research on neurobiological development, little attention has been paid to cultural and ethnic variation in neurodevelopmental processes. We present an overview of the current state of developmental cognitive neuroscience with respect to its attention to cultural issues. Analyses based on 80 publications represented in five recent meta-analyses related to adolescent developmental neuroscience show that 99% of the publications used samples in Western countries. Only 22% of studies provided a detailed description of participants’ racial/ethnic background, and only 18% provided for socioeconomic status. Results reveal a trend in developmental cognitive neuroscience research: The body of research is derived not only mostly from Western samples but also from participants whose race/ethnicity is unknown. To achieve a holistic perspective on brain development in different cultural contexts, we propose and highlight an emerging interdisciplinary approach—developmental cultural neuroscience—the intersection of developmental psychology, cultural psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. Developmental cultural neuroscience aims to elucidate cultural similarities and differences in neural processing across the life span. We call attention to the importance of incorporating culture into the empirical investigation of neurodevelopment.

Mental time travel across the disciplines: The future looks bright

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Suddendorf ◽  
Michael C. Corballis
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Psychology ◽  
Evolutionary Psychology ◽  
Developmental Psychology ◽  
Comparative Psychology ◽  
Time Travel ◽  
Mental Time Travel ◽  
The Future ◽  
Review Current

AbstractThere is a growing interest in mental time travel in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, developmental psychology, comparative psychology, and evolutionary psychology. Here we review current issues in each of these disciplines. To help move the debates forward we name and distinguish 15 key hypotheses about mental time travel. We argue that foresight has for too long lived in the shadows of research on memory and call for further research efforts.

scholarly journals Effects of Mutations in TSC Genes on Neurodevelopment and Synaptic Transmission

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7273
Author(s):  
Davide Bassetti ◽  
Heiko J. Luhmann ◽  
Sergei Kirischuk
Keyword(s):  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Neuronal Function ◽  
Structural Abnormalities ◽  
Neurological Phenotype ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Intellectual Deficits ◽  
Cellular Types ◽  
Review Current

Mutations in TSC1 or TSC2 genes are linked to alterations in neuronal function which ultimately lead to the development of a complex neurological phenotype. Here we review current research on the effects that reduction in TSC1 or TSC2 can produce on the developing neural network. A crucial feature of the disease pathophysiology appears to be an early deviation from typical neurodevelopment, in the form of structural abnormalities. Epileptic seizures are one of the primary early manifestation of the disease in the CNS, followed by intellectual deficits and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Research using mouse models suggests that morphological brain alterations might arise from the interaction of different cellular types, and hyperexcitability in the early postnatal period might be transient. Moreover, the increased excitation-to-inhibition ratio might represent a transient compensatory adjustment to stabilize the developing network rather than a primary factor for the development of ASD symptoms. The inhomogeneous results suggest region-specificity as well as an evolving picture of functional alterations along development. Furthermore, ASD symptoms and epilepsy might originate from different but potentially overlapping mechanisms, which can explain recent observations obtained in patients. Potential treatment is determined not only by the type of medicament, but also by the time point of treatment.

scholarly journals Application of Sensory-Acoustic Noise Technique in Speech Therapy

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.V. Andreeva
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Acoustic Noise ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Therapeutic Practice ◽  
Resource Center ◽  
Therapy Program ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Acoustic Sensitivity

Paper describes author’s correctional technique used in speech-therapeutic practice at the stage of speech formation in children with autism, burdened with pronounced intellectual disability. The technique of sensoryacoustic noise allows children to memorize the studied material quickly and qualitatively. Also it helps to work with children with autism spectrum disorders that have hypersensitivity, including acoustic sensitivity. The speech-therapy program aimed at forming of verbal function in students without productive speech of the approbated in primary correctional school branch of the Federal Resource Center for the organization of comprehensive support of children with autism spectrum disorders is presented.

scholarly journals T1-Weighted/T2-Weighted Ratio Mapping at 5 Months Captures Individual Differences in Behavioral Development and Differentiates Infants at Familial Risk for Autism from Controls

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahimeh Darki ◽  
Pär Nyström ◽  
Grainne McAlonan ◽  
Sven Bölte ◽  
Terje Falck-Ytter
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Familial Risk ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Developmental Neuroscience ◽  
Early Brain Development ◽  
Interesting Candidate ◽  
Mri Sequences ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Standard Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract Identifying structural measures that capture early brain development and are sensitive to individual differences in behavior is a priority in developmental neuroscience, with potential implications for our understanding of both typical and atypical populations. T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) ratio mapping, which previously has been linked to myelination, represents an interesting candidate measure in this respect, as an accessible measure from standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. Yet, its value as an early infancy measure remains largely unexplored. Here, we compared T1w/T2w ratio in 5-month-old infants at familial risk (n = 27) for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to those without elevated autism risk (n = 16). We found lower T1w/T2w ratio in infants at high risk for ASD within widely distributed regions, spanning both white and gray matter. In regions differing between groups, higher T1w/T2w ratio was robustly associated with higher age at scan (range: ~ 4–6.5 months), implying sensitivity to maturation at short developmental timescales. Further, higher T1w/T2w ratio within these regions was associated with higher scores on measures of concurrent developmental level. These findings suggest that T1w/T2w ratio is a developmentally sensitive measure that should be explored further in future studies of both typical and atypical infant populations.

A Call for Greater Attention to Culture in the Study of Brain and Development

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Qu ◽  
Nathan Jorgensen ◽  
Eva H. Telzer
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Cultural Psychology ◽  
Developmental Psychology ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Cultural Neuroscience ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Developmental Neuroscience ◽  
Neuroscience Research ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Despite growing research on neurobiological development, little attention has been paid to cultural and ethnic variation in neurodevelopmental processes. We present an overview of the current state of developmental cognitive neuroscience, with respect to its attention to cultural issues. Analyses based on 80 publications represented in 5 recent meta-analyses related to adolescent developmental neuroscience show that 99% of the publications utilized samples in Western countries. Only 22% of studies provided a detailed description of participants’ racial/ethnic background and 18% for socioeconomic status. Results reveal a trend in developmental cognitive neuroscience research: not only is this body of research mostly derived from Western samples, but the race/ethnicity of the majority of participants is unknown. To achieve a holistic perspective on brain development in different cultural contexts, we propose and highlight an emerging interdisciplinary approach – developmental cultural neuroscience – the intersection of developmental psychology, cultural psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. Developmental cultural neuroscience aims to elucidate cultural similarities and differences in neural processing across the lifespan. We call attention to the importance of incorporating culture into the empirical investigation of neurodevelopment.

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