Debbie Mego, PhD, LCSW, CST-T
Journal of Sandplay Therapy
Volume 27, Issue 1, 2018
Keywords
Sandplay therapy, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, PTSD, transference, right hemispheric flow, left hemisphere, trauma, sexual abuse, atypical sandplay scenes, atypical communication, repetition, cluttered, idiosyncratic, patterns, savant syndrome, Regional Center, embedded, interaction, isolationism, another world, kinetic, gargoyle, individuation, jester, Rosarium Philosophorum, Glezerman, Grandin, Mullin, clinical example, adult, male, man
Abstract
This article presents the 20-year process of an adult male diagnosed on the autism spectrum who was sexually abused at a young age. The unique ways in which transference and movement towards individuation are manifested in his process are explored. Parallels between themes found in his sandplay scenes and Mullin’s findings on common themes in artwork by people diagnosed with autism are noted. Based on Glezerman’s research on autism and the brain there is discussion about ways in which individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may approach sandplay therapy differently than neurotypical individuals. It is suggested that right hemispheric dominance in this population may lead to a symbolic system of meaning such that sand scenes appearing cluttered or chaotic actually contain important central themes and expression of affect that are embedded. The sandplay client’s verbal descriptions and explanations of the scenes may be vital for the therapist to fully understand the embedded connectivity and meaning of the figures chosen.
German / Deutsch
Der Sandspielprozess eines Mannes mit Autismus-Spektrum-Störung (ASS)
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Dieser Artikel stellt den zwanzigjährigen Prozess eines erwachsenen Mannes auf dem Autismus-Spektrum vor, der in der Kindheit sexuell missbraucht wurde.
SCHLÜSSELWÖRTER: Sandplaytherapie, Autismus-Spektrum-Störung (ASS), PTSD, Übertragung, rechtshemisphärische Strömung, linke Hemisphäre, Trauma, sexueller Missbrauch, »beschädigte Ware«, atypische Sandspielszenen, atypische Kommunikation, Wiederholung, überladen, idiosynkratrisch, Muster, Savant-Syndrom, Regionalzentrum, eingebettet, Interaktion, eine andere Welt, kinetisch, Wasserspeier, Schwan, Individuation, Narr, Rosarium Philosophorum, Glezerman, Grandin, Mullin, sexueller Missbrauch, klinisches Beispiel, Erwachsener, männlich, Mann
Spanish / Español
El Proceso de Sandplay de un Hombre Diagnosticado en el Espectro Autista (TEA)
RESUMEN: Este artículo presenta el proceso de un hombre adulto de veinte años en el espectro del autismo que fue abusado sexualmente a una edad temprana.
PALABRAS SIGNIFICATIVAS: Terapia sandplay, trastorno del espectro autista (TEA), trastorno de estrés postraumático, transferencia, flujo hemisférico derecho, hemisferio izquierdo, trauma, abuso sexual, "bienes dañados", escenas de sandplay atípicas, comunicación atípica, repetición, desordenado, idiosincrásico, patrones, síndrome de savant, Centro Regional, integrado, interacción, aislacionismo, otro mundo, cinética, gárgola, cisne, individuación, bufón, Rosarium Philosophorum, Glezerman, Grandin, Mullin, abuso sexual, ejemplo clínico, adulto, varón, hombre
French / Français
Le Processus de Sandplay d'un Homme Diagnostiqué sur le Spectre Autistique (TSA)
RÉSUMÉ: Cet article présente le processus d'un homme adulte de vingt ans sur le spectre de l'autisme qui a été abusé sexuellement à un jeune âge.
MOTS CLÉS: Thérapie sandplay, trouble du spectre autistique (TSA), TSPT, transfert, hémisphère droit, hémisphère gauche, traumatisme, abus sexuel, « marchandises endommagées », scènes de sandplay atypiques, communication atypique, répétition, encombré, syndrome savant, centre régional, embarqué, interaction, isolationnisme, autre monde, cinétique, gargouille, cygne, individuation, bouffon, Rosarium Philosophorum, Glezerman, Grandin, Mullin, abus sexuel, exemple clinique, adulte, homme, homme
Portuguese / Português
O Processo de Sandplay de um Homem Diagnosticado com Distürbio do Espectro do Autísmo
RESUMO: Este artigo apresenta o processo de vinte anos de um homem adulto no espectro do autismo que sofreu abuso sexual na infância.
PALAVRAS CHAVE: Terapia de sandplay, transtorno do espectro do autismo, transtorno de estresse pós-traumático, transferência, fluxo no hemisfério direito, hemisfério esquerdo, trauma, abuso sexual, “mercadoria danificada”, cenas atípicas de sandplay, comunicação atípica, repetição, desordenada, idiossincrática, padrões, síndrome de Savant, Centro Regional, incorporado, interação, outro mundo, cinético, gárgula, cisne, individuação, bobo da corte, Rosarium, Glezerman, Grandin, Mullin, abuso sexual, exemplo clínico, adulto, masculino, homem
Suggested Citation
Mego, D. (2018). The sandplay process of a man diagnosed on the ASD spectrum. Journal of Sandplay Therapy, 27(1). https://doi.org/10.61711/jst.2018.27.1.141
