The Group Approach to the Asthmatic Child and Family

Abstract

During t,he previous two meetings of this organization, I have attempted to emphasize the group as a vehicle for understanding and treat'nient of the chronic.ally ill child. Specifically, I have noted t.he contributions that. can be made by group psychotherapy with mothers of asthmatic children toward the understanding of family processes, helping the mot'her to face and accept relevant emotional factors, and insuring that the patient receives optimum benefit from his hospital and post-hospital experience. The second major focus was eniphasizing the per~onal interaction bet.ween hospital staff and patient, as well as staff aiid st,aff, and even patient and patient. A child in such a milieu is recognized a s the responsible and actively participating member of the treatment community. H e is urged to socialize, react, rebel, and identify rather than to expect ctrtain protective and sedative measures which often encourage dependency and regression. There is, therefore, a predictabilit'y and I hope joy-