ABSTRACT
Maria Emilia Pozzi presents the story of the boy, Alistair, with hyperactivity. Alistair had been difficult since birth, when he could neither latch onto the nipple nor feed properly. He was almost three years old when he was referred to Maria Emilia after seeing a paediatrician and a dietician with no lasting improvement. The nine sessions were spread out monthly, to give the family time to assimilate and practice changes while they were still being seen at the clinic. In the first session, Maria Emilia gathered the history of the problem, observed the family interactions and made rare comments. In the last two sessions, progress was consolidated and old ground was covered. Alistair's mother told Maria Emilia in a telephone conversation some months after the end of therapy that the family felt ordinarily happy and enjoyed times together with Alistair, who had become well integrated in all areas of his life.
