Play Therapy with a Child with Asperger Syndrome: A Case Study1

This study’s objective was to discuss the psychotherapy process of a 12-year old boy affected by Asperger Syndrome, a pervasive developmental disorder, cared for in a public outpatient service. The therapeutic setting and the box of toys had to be modifi ed and made more fl exible to address the child’s peculiarities. The bond established between the therapist and patient and the importance of dealing with the differences between Self/Not-self are discussed. The treatment, adapted to the conditions of a public outpatient service, contributed to the child’s communication and interaction skills, which shows the importance of discussing psychodynamic psychotherapy with this population and how to implement it.