Partnership and role of the psychiatrist beside the mentally handicapped persons and their families

• Published in: Annales médico psychologiques Vol. 153; no. 1; pp. 81 - 86
• Main Author: Lecuyer, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.01.1995
• Subjects: Family; Humans; Mental Disorders - psychology; Physician-Patient Relations; Psychiatry - manpower
• ISSN: 0003-4487

Partnership and role of the psychiatrist beside the mentally handicapped persons and their families. The author analyses his 35 years long collaboration with parents and their associations, and the follow up of mentally handicapped persons themselves. The author questions:--the generalisation of debatable theories without enough explicativity, which makes difficult the "therapeutic alliance" with the parents--the deficiency of educative projects--the doubtful reactions from the responsibles of parents associations in the scientifical spheres, and their refusal to make up their mind with some incomplete results of education. However, the collaboration with most of the parents is usually efficient and pleasant. It seems difficult to manage the psychopedagogy with the toddlers and the polyhandicapped persons without them. Finally, the author insists on the necessity of a patient psychological preparing of the handicapped person, in order he becomes conscience of his difference. Argument for a reflexion about each one role and responsibility, for a real partner-ship, with harmony and complementarity.