• The debate on autism in France, first reported on last month, rumbles on. The pages of February’s Lacan Quotidien have been filled with comment on the debate sparked by Sophie Robert’s film Le Mur which, since its censorship by a Lille court, has attracted considerable attention. Now, several news sources in France have published details of a report by the French health authority (La Haute authorité de santé), due out on 8th March, which urges against the recommendation of psychoanalytic treatment for autism. Read more (in French) here. In response, the NLS (New Lacanian School) has published a translation into English of the text ‘Lacanian Psychoanalysis and Autism: Our Convictions’, written under the aegis of the Université populaire Jacques Lacan. It is a statement of the position of Lacanian practitioners on the topic following the recent controversy and an English translation can be found on the New Lacanian School’s site here. In addition, Lacan Quotidien is hosting an international petition in support of a psychoanalytic approach to autism, put forward by l’Institut psychanalytique de l’Enfant (Institute of Child Psychoanalysis). Since its launch on 16th February the petition has received almost 8,000 signatories and reads as follows in English:

 

  • The associations,
  • The professionals  involved, in various capacities, in the  reception, care and support of autistic children,
  • The parents whose children are received in medical or social-medical facilities,
  • The concerned citizens, French or not, all signatories of this petition:
  • Demand that psychoanalysis, its research and practitioners cease to be defamed by allegations made to discredit them;
  • Wish that the public authorities take into account the legitimate concern of families without however neglecting the work that for decades has been carried out by professional teams working with autistic children and adults in the areas of psychiatry, private practices and social-medical institutions. This work also benefits, in many cases, the practitioners’ psychoanalytic formation;
  • Wish that the anxiety of families is not exploited to designate scapegoats, nor to denigrate professionals who are committed to promoting institutions and practices which ensure that the child and his or her family will be respected in the subjective time that is their own;
  • Consider that in France, the national representation will, in its wisdom, avoid ruling on a public health problem which, far from being neglected, has for a long time been taken into consideration;
  • Are calling for the putting in place of a plan capable of ensuring the human and structural resources needed for the continuation of care and educational support that the unique situation of each child and adult suffering from autism requires.

 

  • In other news, one of the most intriguing publications in the Lacanian field in 2012 was released in February. Alison Bancroft’s first book, Fashion and Psychoanalysis, is now available after a delay in its publication from December. It can be ordered from Amazon in the UK or in the US.

 

  • A new Lacanian site, the Lacanian Forum has launched, hosting a number of papers by members of the London Society of the New Lacanian School. Meanwhile the excellent (and huge) Lutecium.org is still undergoing re-development, although having seen videos of the new design it will be certainly worth the wait.

 

 

  • Finally, the Department of English at Ohio State University has organised a Sunday afternoon study group on Lacan’s Écrits in the Columbus area. The group is expected to meet every two or three weeks till May. More information can be found here.