Autism and psychoanalysis in the French context

As is the case in Western countries as a whole, the application of psychoanalysis in France to the treatment of autistic children has been subjected over the last few decades to more or less violent criticism, and even to obstacles of various kinds, which make it increasingly difficult. This takes on, of course, different colourings from one country to another, depending on each country's history, culture, traditions, and the current organisation of psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care. This article aims to describe these particular features in the French context. With this end in mind, it is necessary to take into account the evolution not only of the notion of infantile autism but also of psychoanalysis, as well as of their interface.