ABSTRACT

Mark was just under three years old when he was referred to see the author at the child guidance clinic. His father and paternal grandmother brought him to meeting. Mark greeted him with a smile and quickly made himself at home. Mr M and his mother told him of their puzzlement and worry over Mark’s behaviour. Mrs M could not understand or make sense of Mark’s “provocative, manipulative behaviour”, refusing to eat the food she served him unless and until it was presented in a particular manner. Mark had certainly lived through very traumatic experiences. Social services became involved and, eventually, Mr M, who was living with his mother, was given custody of Mark. Considering the account of their daily life, the author suggested to Mr and Mrs M that Mark appeared to be afraid that they might also “dispose” of him, that he might lose them just as he had lost his mother.