New Adlerian approaches to treating autism and childhood psychosis

Abstract

The text describes the “I Delfini” institute, a residential psychotherapy facility near Milan dedicated to children and adolescents with serious mental disorders. These young people suffer from a condition of “nullity” rather than simple inferiority, manifested through aggression, isolation, and loss of self-esteem. The facility aims to promote personality recovery by increasing self-esteem, socialization, and the ability to understand oneself and the outside world. An educational and therapeutic model based on Adlerian psychology is adopted, which values respect for personal space, ownership, and collaboration between educators and children. Specific activities and small groups help children improve their social relationships and manage destructive behaviors. Parents are supported separately so as not to interfere in their direct relationship with their children. The text highlights the difficulties of traditional school integration for these individuals and defends the institute's integrated and personalized approach. The aim is to break the family cycle and encourage the expression of ‘social feelings’ to enable each child to develop their potential in a protected and stimulating environment