[Telepsychiatry, the potential to live up to its promise].

Telepsychiatry, or videoconferencing in psychiatry has existed for around forty years in a number of countries. Factors contributing to its development include difficulties in physically accessing specialists or in mobilising certain categories of patients (children, elderly or disabled people). Still not widely developed in France, certain technological and demographic evolutions nevertheless make it increasingly necessary.

[Early detection of risk for autism].

Although prognosis for individuals with autism has historically been poor, recent evidence points to improved outcomes with early intensive intervention. But initial contacts usually result in misplaced reassurance, followed by a series of professional consultations before a definitive diagnosis of autism is made. The long delay upsets parents and postpones an appropriate intervention.

[Mother-child hospitalization].

The authors think, that psychological perturbations in women during the period immediately preceding and following childbirth brings about deepseated personality changes that will determine the future relationship between the mother and her child and all subsequent children. Hospitalization of the mother and child together is resorted to in three types of case: for the classic post-partum psychosis, for psychotic mothers showing serious personality troubles, and for early deviations in the mother-child relationship. For most children the alternative is being taken into care, or being placed in the hands of a series of mother-substitutes.