2021 Volume 53 Issue 2.3 Pages 77-88
The purpose of this study was to explore the differences between immature narcissism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) except for their growth history and to examine the effectiveness of mediation in the support process for the client with the behavioral characteristics of ASD. The client has lived with a feeling of uncomfortableness in her relationships with classmates since entering junior high school. It became difficult for her to attend school before her ninth-grade tests. The school counselor assessed her as having immature narcissism and provided support based on Relational Psychoanalysis by Kohut. After 16 sessions, she returned to her classroom. Based on this support process, three differences were proposed between immature of narcissism and ASD, except for growth history. (1) whether the clients can try to imagine the feelings of others in their own way, (2) whether the client's reasoning for the imagination can be inferred from the current interpersonal relationship, and (3) whether they respond well to support based on Relational Psychoanalysis. It was also suggested that if supporters knew how to resolve conflicts such as mediation, they would be able to provide continuous and better supports even if there is a conflict between a supporter and a client during the support processes.
