Janmari

This chapter explores the life and care of Jean-Marie (Janmari), an autistic boy, under Fernand Deligny’s innovative approach in the late 1960s. Deligny, rejecting conventional medical diagnoses, establishes a supportive community in the Cévennes to care for Janmari and others like him. This network, living closely with nature and relying on minimal resources, emphasizes sensitivity and openness to the unique behaviors of autistic children. Deligny develops “maps” to trace the physical movements of these children, revealing their “wandering lines,” which, though seemingly purposeless, demonstrate their capability for interaction and variation in movement. Deligny’s approach contrasts sharply with traditional psychiatric methods, particularly those of Ludwig Binswanger, by denying the necessity of a shared language or consciousness of being. Instead, Deligny advocates for a respectful coexistence, where companions adapt to the children’s way of being, highlighting a fundamentally different yet profoundly human existence. The chapter concludes with a critical reflection on the philosophical and therapeutic implications of Deligny’s and Binswanger’s methods, suggesting a need to reconsider traditional views on mental health and patient care.