3

Through this monograph of a child of migrant parents who presents secondary mutism, the authors propose an original perspective on the treatment of such “singular” children. Etiologic theories—be they of a cultural, biomedical or psychopathological nature—give a meaning to the singularity of these children. The transcultural consultation offers a space where all these different dimensions weave themselves together in the co-construction of a shared meaning, allowing us to better accompany the singularity of children “from afar.” In a group situation, it is difficult for any child to speak. The transcultural set-up offers children the possibility to express themselves with the help of a co-therapist who accompanies them in play, particularly through drawing. Drawing, as a mediating object, lets us observe the evolution of children's construction of their imaginary realm while they are simultaneously being nourished by the words spoken during the sessions. Thus, this treatment made it possible to accompany Robinson in his discovery of the world, as is shown in his drawings of maps.