Francesco Bisagni - Analytic Rhythm and Autistic Processes

"The notions of pre-conception (Bion) and of archetype (Jung) are very helpful in working with autistic children and, in general, with those analysands who suffer severe impairments in their capacity for symbolization. These notions actually help the analyst in assuming that some proto-trace of representational potential is always present in the individual, and may be appropriately developed if the object is able to provide its fundamental action as a complex and multidetermined subject, deeply involved as a reclaiming object in the analytic relationship. Such a role is essentially played in the function of transforming adhesive bi-dimensional identifications—that trace back to a flattened nonmental world—into projective tri-dimensional identifications, which result in a move from the use of reality in terms of autistic shapes and autistic objects,towards a more evolved and live symbolic use. Such a transformative action can be defined as the prototypical work of the transcendent function.

The rhythmical element in the analysand-analyst interplay is of paramount importance. The analyst needs to pick up and give value to the various rhythmical expressions in the analysand, distinguishing them from one another, as well as from all other disorganized sounds and movements. The construction of the temporal shapes, the modulation of presence and absence, and the rhythmical absence in the orbit are relevant as regards the capacity to progressively name the external reality as well as the subjective experience."

Francesco Bisagni (2010) Out of Nothingness: Rhythm and the Making of Words, Journal of Analytical Psychology, Vol. 55, pp. 254–272