Affective communication of infants with autistic spectrum disorder and internal representation of their mothers

We have been examining the developmental process of affective communication in infants with autistic spectrum disorders from the viewpoint of relationship disturbance through our developmental and psychopathological studies on autism. In particular, the role of internal representation of the mother in the process of development of affective communication is discussed through the presentation of two cases diagnosed as autistic spectrum disorder in early infancy. In these cases, we postulate approach-avoidance motivational conflict as the primary factor impeding development of affective communication, focusing therapeutic intervention on this perspective. As a result, attachment behavior was remarkably improved in the children, but affective communication with their mothers was not readily improved. Taking up the mothers’ own internal representation in mother–infant psychotherapy, in particular, the mothers’ problems in attachment behavior with their own mothers in infancy precipitated transition in the mothers’ internal representation of their children, leading to active evolution in mother–child interaction and development in affective communication between mother and child. In this context, the basis and significance of internal representation of both parties being determinants in the quality of mother–child communication are discussed.