Dibs in Search of Self

Boy, do there need to be more books like this one. This book is just one long case study, but in detailing the sessions, and her conceptualization of the client, Axline clearly lays out how play therapy helps children feel repressed emotions, and empowers them to be their authentic selves. Plus- Dibs is awesome, as are all children.

I hear too much that without a change to the family system, and working with the parents, that children are incapable of growth, and of being more whole and healthy. This book proves that stance is horseshit. Must read for anyone who does therapy with children.

One of the earliest case studies of autism. However, it's very dated and, at this point, I think it may do more harm than good. Axline subscribed to the then-prevalent theory that autism was caused by emotionally distant parents, something that has proven to be false. This is useful in the sense that it shows the development of the field of child psychology, but no parent of an autistic child, or person trying to understand the causes of autism, would benefit from it.

I have been recommended this book as a book about an autistic boy. After having read this book, however, I have come to a conclusion that Dibs is not autistic but severely emotionally disturbed. He exhibits some autistic traits because of his giftedness, but he is clearly not on the spectrum based on is response to this therapy and based on how far he was able to progress. While his initial behaviours seemed autistic-like, I don't believe that it would be possible for a truly autistic child to be able to express himself the way he did and to improve in the fashion that he did. Nonetheless, it is a brilliant book about a brilliant child. It moved me deeply, and from reading it I have learned quite a lot about play therapy and offering show more emotional support to people in general. show less

This is a very interesting book that gives insight to the concept of developing self. It is centered around a little boy named Dibs, who no one in his life seems to understand. He is a boy who is trapped in his own world of solitude. I think this book is a must read for every child psychology major, child studies major, and any major that has to do with interacting with children.

In the year 2015 the words autism, expressive/receptive language disorder, and ADHD are not uncommon diagnoses. They are often found on the mouths of worried mothers that are waiting for their next appointment. Although parents are working closely with both psychiatrists and educators to better understand their children, there is still a need for support. Today the special needs community is not defined by labels or those that are concerned to be deemed ‘severe low IQ’. It consists of a mix of children who are gifted, but suffer from a language disorder or those that have Asperger’s syndrome. While at the same time including a child who is bipolar and dyslexic. This book is about a child who is a part of the special needs show more community, but one who proves that he can rise above his limitations and soar as an adult. The main character is named Dibs and he suffers from what is believed to be severe cognitive impairment and a possible language disorder. Although this book was published in 1964 and was focused on play therapy, it demonstrated the author’s ability to draw the boy out of his shell. It showed the reader a child trapped inside his mind that was not wanted by both of his career parents.

I found this book to be both interesting and sad at the same time. I saw some similar issues with my eldest daughter who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome and am wondering if the boy had this. I did not see a diagnosis of autism or anything similar, but this book was written years ago. I liked how the author followed up on Dib’s for the reader. It was nice to see him be successful and to be honest I was not surprised. Those that are very intelligent as children are sometimes mistaken for significantly delayed if they do not follow the normal speech patterns of a typical child. I highly recommend this book to any student, teacher, or parent in the special needs community. show less

This book has a very good insight into how an individual interacts with a world that doesnt except them. Although the novel is very repetitive in terms of the factual play therapy sessions, once read, it gives an epiphany into how society and even our loved ones can cause us such pain. i really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

5-year-old Dibs is a little boy with problems. His powers of speech are limited and he fights and scratches. His parents are convinced he is mentally defective.

Dibs’ father is a brilliant scientist and his mother is a cold intellectual.

Dibs attends an exclusive private school but they have not been able to help him. Finally, it is decided that the author, a psychologist, begin to see Dibs for play therapy sessions.

The book shows us how Miss A., as Dibs calls her, conducts these sessions, and how he begins to open up and find himself.

The basics of this therapy are that Miss A, never intrudes her personality on the boy but merely repeats what he says back to him, or rather comments what he says and does with his own words. All the show more sessions are held at Miss A’s place, where the playroom is fully equipped with interesting materials, and it is always Dibs that decides what to do with these. He is permitted to do what he wants and Miss A. does not command or instruct him to do anything, the only exception being that at the end of the hour-long session Dibs must be prepared to stop the play and be collected by his mother.

The only time Miss A. tells Dibs not to do something is when he is about to drink something harmful.

Miss A. realizes that Dibs is not retarded but on the contrary highly intelligent and creative and his problem stems rather from emotional neglect, his parents being overly intellectual, cold and distant.

Dibs begins to freely express his negative feelings, particularly towards his father, who ignores him, and frequently plays with burying a father doll in the sand pit in the play room.

Dibs gradually develops his speech and his teacher and mother report that his behaviour is improving; his father begins to speak to him.

This is a wonderfully formulated, edifying story that provides us with considerable insight as to how best to raise children, particularly those with emotional problems. show less