The cognitive--affective dilemma in early infantile autism: the case of Clarence.

Abstract

This case study presents long-term follow-up data on Clarence, one of Kanner's original cases of infantile autism. Clarence's attempts to establish a heterosexual relationship and his plans for marriage are described. His success is attributed in part to therapeutic intervention, which was directed at promoting affective responsiveness in the patient. The case of Clarence is seen as lending support to the thesis of DesLauriers and Carlson (1969), who maintain that the core problem in infantile autism is a disturbance of affective contact.